A mining project near Broken Hill has been awarded “major project status”. 

The project by Cobalt Blue could produce almost 17,000 tonnes of high quality cobalt sulphate a year, according to its proponents. This mineral is critical to the manufacture of lithium ion batteries.

The federal government has granted it “major project status” - formal recognition of a project's national significance. The recognition should help expedite the approvals process for the project. 

Cobalt Blue says the project has “attracted strong support from numerous stakeholders including the New South Wales Government, Broken Hill City Council and the Foundation Broken Hill”, and will create about 400 full-time jobs.