The renovation of Russia’s only facility producing high-grade electrolytic cobalt will significantly increase output of the valuable metal and strengthen contributions to the regional budget, the Murmansk Region government press service reported.

“A new, up-to-date, and environmentally friendly facility has been created in record time. This is vital for both the regional and national economy, as it preserves jobs and ensures stable tax revenues,” Murmansk Region Governor Andrei Chibis emphasized.

The upgraded production site will be capable of manufacturing up to 3,000 tons of metallic cobalt per year with a purity of 99.9 percent. The metal’s high quality enables its use across a broad range of industries, including for manufacturing batteries, catalytic converters, and magnets, as well as in the aerospace sector.