March 22, 2021 - The Australian mine from which German car maker BMW sources cobalt could have reduced output for the best part of a month after an operational mishap.  Glencore’s Murrin Murrin nickel and cobalt mine in Western Australia will operate below full capacity for at least several weeks after the failure of a fan blade in a device that blows air into the mine’s acid plant.  German auto manufacturer BMW gets nickel and cobalt from Murrin Murrin in Western.  Operations at Murrin Murrin continue at reduced capacity whilst repairs are being completed,” said Glencore in a statement.  “There was no explosion and no injuries as a result of this incident.”  Glencore did not quantify the impact of the works on mine output, but Murrin Murrin is understood to still be producing at close to 80 per cent of capacity. While there are hopes the works will take less than a month, the exact duration will depend on the ability to get components into WA.