Electra (NASDAQ: ELBM) launches study for U.S. nickel refinery plan

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Electra Battery Materials Corporation has launched an engineering study for a potential battery-grade nickel refinery in the southeastern United States. The work will assess technical requirements, capital needs and development options for a domestic refining operation.

The proposed refinery is being evaluated for about 15,000 tonnes per year of nickel sulfate and metal plus 1,000 tonnes per year of cobalt metal, using conventional hydrometallurgical technologies and experience from Electra’s cobalt sulfate refinery project. Findings will guide future decisions on whether to advance the project and under what conditions.

Electra reiterates that its cobalt sulfate refinery in North America remains the primary development priority and is expected to begin commissioning in Q2 2027. The company frames nickel refining, use of globally sourced MHP and MSP feedstocks, and black mass recycling as part of a broader strategy to onshore critical battery materials supply chains.

Key Figures

Target nickel capacity: 15,000 tonnes per year Target cobalt capacity: 1,000 tonnes per year Cobalt refinery commissioning: Q2 2027

3 metrics

Target nickel capacity 15,000 tonnes per year Proposed U.S. battery-grade nickel refinery output

Target cobalt capacity 1,000 tonnes per year Proposed U.S. refinery cobalt metal output

Cobalt refinery commissioning Q2 2027 Expected start of commissioning for cobalt sulfate refinery

Key Terms

hydrometallurgical refining technologies, nickel sulfate, MHP, MSP, +2 more

6 terms

hydrometallurgical refining technologies technical

"using conventional hydrometallurgical refining technologies and building on Electra’s expertise"

nickel sulfate financial

"target production capacity of approximately 15,000 tonnes per year of nickel sulfate and metal"

Nickel sulfate is an inorganic salt made from nickel and sulfur that appears as a blue crystalline powder dissolved in water. It is a key industrial raw material used to make nickel metal, electroplating coatings, catalysts and, critically, precursor chemicals for many rechargeable batteries; think of it like a small but essential spice in a recipe whose shortage or price change can alter the cost and availability of the finished product. Investors watch nickel sulfate because swings in its supply, purity and price directly affect manufacturing costs and profit margins for battery makers, miners and manufacturers tied to electric vehicles and electronics.

MHP technical

"study will focus on processing globally sourced MHP and MSP feedstocks"

MSP technical

"study will focus on processing globally sourced MHP and MSP feedstocks"

black mass recycling technical

"Electra is also advancing black mass recycling opportunities to recover critical minerals"

Black mass recycling is the process of recovering the dark, powdery mix of shredded battery materials—mainly lithium, nickel, cobalt and other metals—produced when used lithium‑ion batteries are broken down. For investors, it matters because turning that “battery dust” back into usable metals reduces reliance on raw mining, cuts costs and supports supply chains for electric vehicles and electronics, similar to how melting down scrap metal feeds a factory without buying new ore.

forward-looking statements regulatory

"This news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information"

Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.

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Form 6-K: How Foreign Companies Report to the SEC →

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of June 2026

Commission File Number: 001-41356

Electra Battery Materials Corporation
(Translation of registrant's name into English)

133 Richmond St W, Suite 602
Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2L3 Canada
(416) 900-3891 
(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [ X ]      Form 40-F [   ] 

Incorporation by Reference

The information contained in this Report on Form 6-K (this “Form 6-K”) and Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 herewith are hereby incorporated by reference as an exhibit to (i) the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-264589), (ii) the Registration Statement on Form F-3, as amended (File No. 333-288364) and (iii) the Registration Statement on Form F-3, as amended (File No. 333-291766) of Electra Battery Materials Corporation (the “Company”).

DOCUMENTS INCLUDED AS PART OF THIS REPORT

Exhibit Number		Description
99.1		Press Release dated June 8, 2026

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

		Electra Battery Materials Corporation
		(Registrant)
Date: June 8, 2026		/s/ Trent Mell
		Trent Mell
		Chief Executive Officer and Director

EXHIBIT 99.1

Electra Advances Engineering Study for Battery-Grade Nickel Refinery in the United States

TORONTO, June 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Electra Battery Materials Corporation (NASDAQ: ELBM; TSX-V: ELBM) (“Electra” or the “Company”) today announced that it has engaged engineering consultants to advance a development study for a potential battery-grade nickel refinery in the southeastern United States.

Electra has initiated the study to evaluate the technical requirements, capital intensity and potential development pathways for a domestic nickel refining operation. The proposed nickel refinery is being evaluated with a target production capacity of approximately 15,000 tonnes per year of nickel sulfate and metal, and 1,000 tonnes per year of cobalt metal, using conventional hydrometallurgical refining technologies and building on Electra’s expertise gained through the development of its North American cobalt sulfate refinery. This work will inform future development decisions and identify the conditions required to support a competitive and strategically important North American nickel refining asset. Electra's cobalt sulfate refinery remains the Company's primary development priority and is expected to commence commissioning in Q2 2027.

“As we approach a key construction milestone on our cobalt sulfate refinery, we are also advancing our longer-term pipeline of critical minerals processing assets,” said Electra’s CEO, Trent Mell. “The expertise our team has developed through the design and construction of our North American cobalt sulfate refinery provides a strong foundation as we evaluate nickel refining opportunities. Nickel is a critical material for defence, energy and advanced manufacturing. Yet despite its strategic importance, North America remains heavily reliant on offshore refining capacity. This project directly addresses a supply chain vulnerability that the government has identified as a national security priority and is consistent with federal efforts to establish domestic refining capacity for critical battery materials.”

The engineering work will build on a nickel refinery study completed in 2022 by Electra in collaboration with Glencore and Talon Metals. That study evaluated the development of a battery-grade nickel sulfate refinery using a range of potential feedstocks and established the technical foundation for an integrated North American nickel refining platform.

The current study will focus on processing globally sourced MHP and MSP feedstocks, leveraging deep-water port infrastructure and proximity to the rapidly expanding battery manufacturing corridor in the southeastern United States. The report will define site selection criteria, capital requirements, operating parameters and development timelines. Electra has narrowed its evaluation to a preferred region, building on previous engagement with state and local stakeholders. The preferred region has been identified based on a combination of infrastructure, logistics, workforce and supply chain partners.

The results of this study will be used to assess the project’s technical and commercial viability and support more detailed engineering work.

Electra’s strategy is to leverage globally sourced MHP and MSP nickel intermediate feedstocks for near-term project development, supplemented over time by growing supplies from North American mining and battery recycling operations. This proven approach is consistent with the Company's cobalt refinery strategy and is designed to maximize processing capacity and economic returns while anchoring critical minerals refining onshore.

About Electra Battery Materials

Electra is a leader in advancing North America’s critical minerals supply chain for lithium-ion batteries. The Company’s primary focus is constructing North America’s only cobalt sulfate refinery, as part of a phased strategy to onshore critical minerals refining and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. In addition to the Refinery, Electra holds a significant land package in Idaho’s Cobalt Belt, including its Iron Creek project and surrounding properties, positioning the Company as a potential cornerstone for North American cobalt and copper production.

Electra is also advancing black mass recycling opportunities to recover critical minerals from end-of-life batteries, while continuing to evaluate growth opportunities in nickel refining and other downstream battery materials. For more information, please visit www.ElectraBMC.com.

Contact
Heather Smiles
Vice President, External Affairs & Corporate Development
Electra Battery Materials
info@ElectraBMC.com
1.416.900.3891

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the announced nickel refinery engineering study, including its scope, timing, costs and expected results; engineering studies and incremental investments; feedstock supply, product offtake, tolling and other commercial arrangements; the technical and commercial viability of a potential nickel refinery project; any decision to advance, defer or not proceed with further development of the project; the expected commissioning timeline and operational readiness of the cobalt sulfate refinery; availability of equipment, reagents, feedstock and other inputs; and the availability and timing of governmental or other financial support. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “plans”, “expects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur” or “be achieved” or similar expressions and are based on current assumptions and expectations. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, and opportunities to differ materially from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Electra Battery Materials Corporation believes that the information and assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Electra Battery Materials Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are set forth in the management discussion and analysis and other disclosures of risk factors for Electra Battery Materials Corporation, at www.sedarplus.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

FAQ

What did Electra Battery Materials (ELBM) announce in this Form 6-K?

Electra Battery Materials announced it has engaged engineering consultants to advance a development study for a potential battery-grade nickel refinery in the southeastern United States, aiming to clarify technical needs, capital intensity and development pathways.

What is the planned capacity of Electra’s potential U.S. nickel refinery?

The potential refinery is being evaluated for about 15,000 tonnes per year of nickel sulfate and metal, plus 1,000 tonnes per year of cobalt metal, using conventional hydrometallurgical refining technologies and globally sourced intermediate feedstocks.

How does the nickel refinery study fit Electra Battery Materials’ (ELBM) strategy?

The nickel refinery study supports Electra’s broader strategy to onshore critical minerals refining, complementing its North American cobalt sulfate refinery, Idaho Cobalt Belt properties and black mass recycling initiatives focused on the lithium-ion battery supply chain.

When is Electra’s cobalt sulfate refinery expected to start commissioning?

Electra states that its cobalt sulfate refinery remains the primary development priority and is expected to commence commissioning in Q2 2027, forming the core of its North American critical minerals refining platform for lithium-ion batteries.

What feedstocks will Electra target for the proposed nickel refinery?

Electra plans to focus on globally sourced MHP and MSP nickel intermediate feedstocks for near-term development, supplemented over time by growing supplies from North American mining and battery recycling operations, aiming to maximize processing capacity and economic returns.

Where is Electra Battery Materials (ELBM) considering locating the nickel refinery?

Electra is evaluating a site in the southeastern United States, narrowing its focus to a preferred region based on infrastructure, deep-water port access, logistics, workforce availability and proximity to the expanding regional battery manufacturing corridor.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

1 document

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 PRESS RELEASE 8.4 KB