In partnership with Cobalt Blue, Glomar Minerals is developing Project Infinity, a domestic processing facility designed to refine 200,000 tons of polymetallic nodules and 7,500 tons of terrestrial cobalt hydroxide annually.
Project Infinity pairs a strategic, polymetallic seabed mineral resource with domestic refining, creating the first US-based, vertically integrated seabed mineral partnership. Polymetallic nodules are metal-rich concretions that rest on the deep seafloor, each carrying four metals essential to modern manufacturing—manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper—in a single ore, making them the largest, most concentrated, and complete critical-mineral resources on Earth. Cobalt Blue’s proprietary refining process is a closed-loop system that recovers all of these metals in a single circuit with no process liquids discharged to the environment, and is built from modular units proven at pilot scale—engineered to move from demonstration to commercial production quickly, with lower technical risk, and to scale with demand.
The initial multi-metal facility will produce refined manganese, cobalt sulfate, nickel metal, copper metal, and a residue rich in other materials including rare earth elements for secondary or tertiary processing, advancing US critical minerals strategy and supply chain priorities. Glomar and Cobalt Blue are assessing the market to determine the optimal manganese products from nodules and have already demonstrated production of high-purity manganese sulfate.
The selected sites will now undergo detailed techno-economic evaluation as Glomar and Cobalt Blue advance plans to establish a domestic processing platform capable of refining and producing critical minerals essential to American manufacturing, energy technologies, advanced electronics, and national defense systems.
The announcement marks a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen US supply chain resilience and reduce dependence on foreign-controlled processing and refining capacity, and aligns with federal priorities to develop domestic and seabed critical-mineral resources.
Robbie Diamond, Executive Chairman of Glomar Minerals, said: “America cannot achieve true economic security, manufacturing leadership, or technological independence without a reliable domestic supply of critical minerals. The advancement of these four sites represents an important step toward building the infrastructure necessary to process and refine the materials that power our economy, support our military, and enable next-generation technologies.”
The four locations were selected following an extensive nationwide review of over 30 sites based on access to transportation, infrastructure, workforce availability, industrial development potential, and proximity to reagents and export markets.
Site Finalist Locations
- New Orleans Region, Louisiana (2)
- Brunswick County, North Carolina
- Gulf Coast Region, Texas
Project Infinity expects to process a range of strategically important critical minerals that support sectors including:
- Aerospace and defense technologies
- Battery manufacturing and electric vehicles
- Grid modernization and energy infrastructure
- Advanced manufacturing
- Semiconductors and electronics
- Emerging energy applications
The company anticipates that the project, once fully developed, would represent one of the largest investments in domestic critical minerals processing infrastructure in decades and could support hundreds of direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs across the supply chain. The facility is designed as a closed-loop operation with no process-water discharge to surrounding waterways.
Dr. Andrew Tong, CEO and Managing Director of Cobalt Blue Holdings Limited, said: “Today, much of the world’s critical mineral refining capacity is concentrated outside the United States, creating significant economic and national security vulnerabilities. By establishing domestic processing capabilities, we are building a more secure and resilient supply chain that supports American workers, manufacturers, and consumers.”
Glomar Minerals and Cobalt Blue will now begin a comprehensive due diligence process with state and local partners in Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas. The company expects to engage closely with local communities, economic development organizations, workforce leaders, and government stakeholders throughout the site evaluation process.
State and local officials welcomed the announcement as a major opportunity to attract advanced manufacturing investment and strengthen America’s industrial base. Additional information regarding final site selection, project timelines, and investment plans will be announced following completion of the evaluation process.