# Electra Appoints GM to Lead Cobalt Refinery

> Electra names Garzon Duenas as GM to lead Ontario cobalt refinery commissioning and operations.
- Title: Electra Appoints GM to Lead Cobalt Refinery · Financialpost
- Summary: Electra names Garzon Duenas as GM to lead Ontario cobalt refinery commissioning and operations. Electra Battery Materials appoints Garzon Duenas as General…
- Keywords: electra, garzon duenas, cobalt refinery, commissioning, ontario, general manager, refinery operations, mineral processing, money, business, Appoints, Lead
- Source: Financialpost — https://financialpost.com/globe-newswire/electra-appoints-general-manager-to-lead-cobalt-refinery-commissioning-and-operations
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: electra, garzon duenas, cobalt refinery, commissioning, ontario, general manager, refinery operations, mineral processing, money, business
## Electra Appoints General Manager
Electra Battery Materials Corporation appoints Garzon Duenas as General Manager and Commissioning Leader effective October 5, 2026.
## Refinery Timeline
Construction on budget with commissioning starting in Q4 2026, mechanical completion in Q2 2027, full commissioning by Q3 2027, and commercial production in Q4 2027.
## Duenas' Experience
Duenas has over three decades of experience managing mineral processing plants and refining facilities globally, including cobalt, nickel, copper, and platinum group metals.
## CEO Statement
Trent Mell, CEO, states Duenas brings discipline, high performance standards, and continuous improvement to lead the refinery transition from construction through operations.
## Duenas' Responsibilities
Duenas will lead operational readiness, build commissioning and operating teams, establish systems for safe production, and ensure seamless transition from construction to operations.
## Past Projects
Duenas managed a 3,000-tonne-per-year nickel and cobalt processing facility in the Philippines and led commissioning of a nickel concentrator to commercial production.
## Key takeaway

Electra Battery Materials appoints Garzon Duenas as General Manager to oversee Ontario cobalt refinery commissioning and operations starting in 2026.