Worley secures cobalt refinery engineering contract with US Strategic Metals
Worley Limited (ASX: WOR) has been awarded an engineering services contract by United States Strategic Metals to support the development of a multi-metallic processing hub in Missouri, United States. The hub will include a cobalt refinery and a black mass recycling process line.
Announced on 3 August 2026, the award positions Worley within the ongoing buildout of critical mineral supply chains in the United States. No contract value, duration, or financial impact was disclosed.
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What the contract covers
Under the contract, Worley will provide engineering services and procurement support within an integrated project management team to oversee the construction of the project.
The work will be delivered across multiple Worley locations, reflecting the breadth of its global capability. The delivery structure includes:
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Led from Worley’s Louisiana operations
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Support from Phoenix, United States
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Support from the United Kingdom
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Support from the Global Integrated Delivery (GID) team
This multi-region approach demonstrates Worley leveraging its international footprint on a single US project, drawing on specialist teams to support delivery.
Why cobalt refining and black mass recycling matter
CEO Commentary
“The cobalt refinery project supports the development of critical mineral supply chains in the United States,” said Chris Ashton, Chief Executive Officer of Worley. “We are pleased to apply our expertise in minerals and metals to support the delivery of this important project advancing United States Strategic Metal’s objectives.”
What it means for Worley investors
The award sits within Worley’s minerals and metals capability, part of its broader positioning as a global company of energy, chemicals, and resources experts. It aligns the company with the critical minerals theme and the wider energy transition, areas that continue to attract government and private investment.
For investors, the significance lies in strategic positioning rather than a quantified earnings event. Neither the contract value nor a timeline has been disclosed, so the award is best read as a signal of Worley’s continued involvement in US critical minerals infrastructure rather than a defined revenue contribution.
The cobalt refinery award is not Worley’s first foray into US critical minerals processing in 2026; the company’s US battery materials contract with Orbia for a large-scale LiPF6 production facility in Louisiana similarly reflects its growing presence in domestic energy transition supply chains.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Client | United States Strategic Metals |
| Scope | Engineering services & procurement support |
| Project | Cobalt refinery & black mass recycling line |
| Location | Missouri, United States |
| Delivery lead | Louisiana operations + global teams |
The contract adds to Worley’s presence in the minerals and metals space as demand for domestic critical mineral processing capacity grows. It reinforces the company’s continued role in critical minerals and energy transition projects across its global operations.
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