Electra Appoints General Manager to Lead Cobalt Refinery Commissioning and Operations
Key Highlights
- ➤Electra appoints Garzon Duenas as General Manager and Commissioning Leader
- ➤Commissioning activities targeted for Q4 2026; mechanical completion targeted for Q2 2027
- ➤Full commissioning and production ramp-up expected in Q3 2027
- ➤Commercial cobalt sulfate production targeted for Q4 2027
- ➤Refinery designed to produce 5,120 tonnes of contained cobalt annually
Expert Statements
Trent Mell, CEO of Electra Battery Materials
“With mechanical completion targeted for the second quarter of 2027, we are now building the team and operating systems needed to commission the refinery and bring it into production safely and reliably.”
Trent Mell, CEO of Electra Battery Materials
“Garzon and I have worked together before, and I have seen firsthand the discipline and operating focus he brings. He sets high performance standards, drives continuous improvement and develops the people around him to deliver against those standards. I know what he can deliver and I am confident he is the right leader to help take the refinery from construction through commissioning and into operations.”
Garzon Duenas, General Manager and Commissioning Leader of Electra Battery Materials
“Electra is at an important point in the development of the refinery, and I’m excited to join the team as we prepare to make the transition into operations.”
Garzon Duenas, General Manager and Commissioning Leader of Electra Battery Materials
“Earlier in my career I commissioned nickel and cobalt leaching and solvent-extraction circuits, and I know that a successful start-up is largely decided before the first feed is introduced. My focus will be on creating a strong operating culture built around safety, reliability and execution, and ensuring our people and processes are ready to deliver as the refinery comes online.”
TORONTO, Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Electra Battery Materials Corporation (NASDAQ: ELBM; TSX-V: ELBM) (“Electra” or the “Company”) today announced the appointment of Garzon Duenas as General Manager and Commissioning Leader, effective today. The appointment strengthens Electra’s operating leadership as the Company prepares to transition its Ontario cobalt sulfate refinery from construction through commissioning, ramp-up and commercial operations.
Construction remains on budget, with select commissioning activities targeted to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, mechanical completion targeted for the second quarter of 2027, full commissioning and production ramp-up expected in the third quarter of 2027, and commercial production targeted for the fourth quarter of 2027.
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