1925

Competitive sources of cobalt are developed in the Belgian Congo.

1929

In Cobalt, Ontario many silver-cobalt mines close down.

1929

The Great Depression.

1932

Ore being received from Eldorado Nuclear of Port Hope, Ontario for cobalt metal refinement (the Eldorado mine on Great Bear Lake, NWT is the source of these ores).

1937

Deloro established new stellite plant in Birmingham, England.

1939

World War II and critical demand for stellite from Deloro plant for defence production. German invasion of Belgium redirects African copper-cobalt ores to Deloro for processing. US government brings 4,000 tons of cobalt to be stored at Deloro during the war.

1940

New research and development laboratory erected, followed by a chemical laboratory. Scientists at these facilities develop a smelting process for uranium for the Eldorado plant in Port Hope, as well as a hot wax process for precision casting.

1948

Deloro begins processing Moroccan ores for cobalt.

1950

Major re-development of site. Three main industrial sections now established: 1) the crushing, grinding, roasting and smelting departments; 2) the chemical section; and 3) the machine tool and casting division. Many earlier buildings are destroyed. The following products are now produced: silver, refined arsenic, cobalt oxide, cobalt slats, cobalt metal and powder, nickel oxide, and copper residues, as well as new machine parts. In the 50s there are new uses for cobalt: as a paint dryer; as a trace element in animal foods; in the chemical process for the production of nylon; as a binder for enamel; in the brewing of beer; and in cancer research and treatment.

The Decline (1955-1961)

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