Interview Series: Chapter 5 —From Cobalt Hydroxide to Battery-Ready Sulfate: Inside EVelution Energy’s Clean U.S. Refining Operation
Chapter 5 reveals how EVelution Energy processes cobalt without mining or hazardous waste — using a low-impact method that supports clean energy and defense innovation
In Chapter 5 of our ongoing interview series, Michael Gibson of USAdvisors.org speaks with Navaid Alam, CEO of EVelution Energy, to demystify the company’s cobalt production process—and to clarify a common misconception: EVelution is not mining cobalt.
“The material we’re working with—cobalt hydroxide—is already mined and partially refined to about 30% purity in Africa,” explains Navaid. “Our job is to take it the rest of the way, right here in the United States.”
EVelution Energy’s Yuma, Arizona facility will process this cobalt hydroxide using an environmentally responsible method called atmosphere bleaching, followed by solvent extraction (SX). The result is battery-grade cobalt sulfate, a cobalt “salt” used in high-performance applications — from electric vehicles to drones and aerospace defense systems.
A Clean, Efficient, Solar-Powered Facility
No tailings or toxic discharge: Waste materials are non-hazardous and landfillable
Solar-powered operations: Reducing both carbon emissions and long-term costs
Standardized, globally accepted process: Nothing proprietary—just the most efficient and cleanest available
“We’re making cobalt sulfate using the lowest-energy method possible,” Navaid adds. “This is about clean manufacturing and U.S. supply chain independence.”
Watch Chapter 5 of the interview here: https://youtu.be/EdInlyoV9l0
Learn more about the project and EB-5 investment opportunities at www.eb5horizon.com
Evelution Energy Interview Chapter 5
Michael Gibson, USAdvisors, interviews Navaid Alam, President, Evelution Energy
Transcript
Evelution Energy Interview Chapter 5
Michael Gibson, Managing Director of US Advisors (USAdvisors.org) an independent Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Michael also owns and runs EB-5 Investments (eb5projects.com) and is an EB5 industry expert.
Navaid Alam, President & Chief Executive Officer
Michael Gibson, speaking
I can see that point. Navaid, you had mentioned some of the physical properties of cobalt. The heat transfer properties, and how it's so stable under heat. Which is why it's in such high demand by a lot of these critical sectors. But for people who maybe curious, could you go into a little bit of the processing? What you will be doing in this plant. For instance, I I, I imagine that many people when they hear cobalt they may think you're actually mining it. You're actually going into the ground and digging some rock out and then doing some processing. But it's not like that. Could you just explain, briefly, the chemistry of what it is that you're doing? Taking in the raw product, the base product, and then converting it into a more refined product.
Navaid Alam, speaking
Sure, the product we're getting in from Africa is, actually it's mined in Africa. And it's all also processed to a 30% purity, which is a very high purity product. That we are then bringing into the United States.
Michael Gibson, speaking
And what do you call that, that raw material?
Navaid Alam, speaking
That raw material that we're bringing is called cobalt hydroxide.
Michael Gibson, speaking
Okay.
Navaid Alam, speaking
And it's a, as I said, about 30% of pure cobalt, and it's, it's a very environmentally clean for us to process in the United States. We will have no tailings on our facility site. And we are, will be able to take up any non hazardous waste material that we have to the local landfill. Which is, very happy to take our material for the next 200 years. And, we're also gonna be solar powered. So our energy is gonna be very clean and very cheap for the long run.
Michael Gibson, speaking
And, and you had mentioned actually the, the way you process this, which is common around the world. We should say it's not unique. There's nothing proprietary about the way you're doing it. But it's probably the most environmentally friendly. Can you just, briefly, describe what is the process from taking that hydroxide, that cobalt hydroxide and then converting it into a sulfate?
Navaid Alam, speaking
Sure, We are going to be using the atmosphere bleaching method. Which is the lowest heat, lowest power method of extracting the solvent. It's called solvent extraction, which is “SX” for extracting cobalt hydroxide and turning into cobalt sulfate. We’re then going to be using crystallizer to turn it into the salt. So sulfate is salt. And that salt, that cobalt salt, is then going to be sold to the battery manufacturers that make batteries for drones, for cars, other material.