Cobalt, Ontario, a town located in the Timiskaming District of Canada, has a rich history and a promising future. Despite its population dwindling to around 943 from 1,118 in 2016, the town's historical significance and potential for future growth make it a fascinating destination.
In the early 1900s, Cobalt was a bustling mining town, known for its rich deposits of silver and cobalt. By 1910, it was the fourth highest producer of silver in the world. However, mining declined significantly by the 1930s, leading to a decrease in the local population. Despite being referred to as a ghost town in 2017, the high demand for cobalt, used in making batteries for mobile devices and electric vehicles, has sparked renewed interest in the area among mining companies.
Cobalt was discovered in 1884 by W.E. Logan at the future site of the Agaunico Mine. Silver was discovered during the construction of the Temiskaming & Northern Ontario Railway (T&NO) in 1903. The discovery led to a silver rush and the development of several silver mines. By 1908, Cobalt was considered the world's largest producer of silver and cobalt. Mining continued until the 1930s, then renewed in the 1950s, and by the 1960s, the area had produced over 420 million ounces of silver.
The silver rush led to the rapid development of Cobalt. The town was incorporated in 1906, and by 1909, the population had soared to 10,000. The town was known for its high-grade silver and cobalt, which attracted prospectors and miners from all over. The mining was done with the use of wheelbarrows, pickaxes, hand steel, and dynamite. The miners who honed their skills in Cobalt moved north, discovering gold in Kirkland Lake and Timmins and further afield in Canada and around the world.
Cobalt has faced its share of challenges. In 1909, a fire destroyed half the town, leaving 3,000 residents homeless. Another fire in 1977 destroyed 140 buildings and left over 400 homeless. Despite these challenges, the town has persevered and continues to attract interest due to its rich mineral deposits.
Today, cobalt is a critical component in rechargeable lithium batteries used in mobile devices and electric cars. This has led to a renewed interest in cobalt mining in Cobalt, Ontario. Several cobalt exploration companies are focusing on the area as an alternative to cobalt mining in the politically-unstable Democratic Republic of Congo. The town's mayor estimated in 2017 that mining production could start in about three to five years.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Cobalt had a population of 989 living in 454 of its 542 total private dwellings, a change of -12.3% from its 2016 population of 1,128.
The mining activities in Cobalt have left a significant environmental legacy. Millions of tons of mine waste rock and mill tailings were dumped on the land and in local lakes. Today, this arsenic contaminates surface water in the area and is believed to pose risks to the environment.
Despite its challenges, Cobalt has a lot to offer tourists. Visitors can visit the Cobalt Mining Museum, which boasts the world's largest display of locally mined silver. They can also take a tour of an old underground mine, visit "The Bunker" military museum, and the Northern Ontario Firefighters Museum. The Heritage Silver Trail is a self-guided driving tour of several mine and mill sites in the area. The town also plans to convert the vacant Fraser Hotel building into a complex which will include The Bunker museum, housing units, tourist accommodations, and a proposed culinary school.
