Glencore and General Motors sign Australian cobalt supply agreement

Media statement
Sydney, Australia

Glencore and General Motors have reached a multi-year agreement in which Glencore’s Murrin Murrin operation in Western Australia will supply General Motors with cobalt. The cobalt processed from Murrin Murrin will be used in GM’s Ultium battery cathodes, which will power its international fleet of electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC HUMMER EV and Cadillac LYRIQ.

Murrin Murrin is Australia’s largest producer of cobalt, a critical metal used in electric vehicles and a wide range of everyday applications such as medical tracing, renewable energy and jet engines.

Last year Murrin Murrin employed over 1,000 people, spent more than $500 million on goods and services from Australian suppliers and contributed $52 million in taxes and royalties to federal and state governments.

Glencore is one of Australia’s largest producers of green metals such as cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc which will drive the global green energy transition. This is also a key part of Glencore’s ambition of achieving net zero total emissions by 2050.

We are also committed to responsible supply chain management. Glencore and General Motors are members of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI)and Murrin Murrin is conformant with the OECD-aligned Responsible Minerals Assurance Process.

“We are very pleased to supply General Motors with cobalt from our Murrin Murrin operation in Australia,” said Wayne Ashworth, head of Glencore’s global nickel business.

“Glencore will continue to play an important role in providing the green metals needed for the electric vehicle revolution and energy transition in the years ahead.”

For further information, please contact:

Francis de Rosa
m: +61 417 074 751
e: Francis de Rosa

Agata Graham
t: +61 478 304 345
e: Agata Graham

Notes for editors

About Glencore

Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 responsibly sourced commodities that advance everyday life. The Group's operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical sites and oil production assets.

With a strong footprint in over 35 countries in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore's industrial activities are supported by a global network of more than 30 marketing offices.

Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation, battery manufacturing and oil sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore's companies employ around 135,000 people, including contractors.

Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050.

Glencore recognises our responsibility to contribute to the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.  Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050. In August 2021 we increased our medium-term emission reduction target to a 50% reduction by 2035 and introduced a new short-term target of a 15% reduction by 2026.

Visit Glencore's website to find out more.

About Glencore Australia

In Australia, Glencore produces coal, copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lead, silver and gold from 25 mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including metals smelters, concentrators and refineries.

We are among Australia’s largest producers and marketers of natural resources, connecting Australian resources with industrial customers around the world. Through our diverse portfolio, we responsibly supply the resources that advance everyday life.

We employ 17,690 people in Australia and in 2020 contributed over $13.8 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $9.5 billion with 7,890 businesses across the country, as well as $2.1 billion in government tax and royalty payments.

We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for our people, to respecting the environment, to engaging openly and constructively with the Traditional Owners on whose lands we operate and to bringing value to local communities.

Glencore recognises our responsibility to contribute to the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050. In August 2021 we increased our medium-term emission reduction target to a 50% reduction by 2035 and introduced a new short-term target of a 15% reduction by 2026.