Ecora’s Voisey’s Bay Cobalt Entitlement Rises 90% YoY in H1 as Underground Mine Ramp-Up Nears Completion

According to Ecora Royalties’ 2026 interim results released on September 2, the company received 266 tonnes of cobalt through its Voisey’s Bay cobalt stream in the first half of the year, up about 90% from 140 tonnes in the same period of 2025. Ecora said the ramp-up of underground mining operations at Voisey’s Bay is now substantially complete.

Driven by higher cobalt volumes and stronger prices, the project’s portfolio contribution after stream costs rose to US$13.5 million in the first half, up 230% year on year, while the average realized cobalt price increased to US$28.4/lb from US$16.5/lb a year earlier.

Meanwhile, Vale Base Metals is studying an expansion of the Voisey’s Bay concentrator’s processing capacity from around 2.8 million tonnes per year to 3.8 million tonnes per year. The related pre-feasibility study remains underway, with a final investment decision targeted around 2028. The project also plans both underground and surface drilling in 2026 to optimize the mine plan, support resource expansion and potentially extend mine life.

Ecora also said planned maintenance is scheduled at the Voisey’s Bay concentrator in the third quarter and at the Long Harbour refinery in the fourth quarter.