LANGHAM, Sask. — A cobalt plant proposed by Fortune Minerals near Langham northwest of Saskatoon has passed an environmental study.

CEO Robin Goad says the review showed there wouldnt be any impact on the water table.

He also points out that there would be no asbestos in the companys materials.

Goad says the next step is to apply for rezoning with the aim to begin construction sometime next year.

The plant would process cobalt which is needed to manufacture lithium ion batteries.

Global electric car company Tesla Motors plans to build a huge battery factory in the U.S. and has said it would like a processing plant in North America that could supply its needs.

They have stated specifically that they prefer North American suppliers and to the best of our knowledge we will be the only North American supplier that is specifically producing battery-grade chemicals, Goad said Friday.

Its a good opportunity to diversify industrial activity in Saskatchewan, he suggested.

The plant would provide about 100 permanent jobs, he said.