Cobalt

Cobalt is a town of 1,100 people (2016) in Northern Ontario. One of the "Tri-Towns" of the area, Cobalt chose to remain a separate town when Haileybury and New Liskeard to the north merged to become Temiskaming Shores.

Understand
Cobalt, like so many other mining towns when mining the ores became uneconomical, is a shadow of its former self.

Cobalt ores were found here in 1884, although it wasn't until 1904 when the town was named after the mineral. The boom times started in 1903 when high-grade silver was discovered, leading to the town's nickname "Silver City". By 1908, Cobalt was the single largest producer of silver and cobalt in the world, and the population was over 10,000. However, all booms eventually bust, and mining tapered off in the 1930s as gold was discovered further north (in Kirkland Lake and Timmins). There was a smaller boom in the 1950s, but the last mine closed in the 1980s.

However, there's still some cobalt in the ground here, and the early-21st-century appetite for the element in lithium-ion batteries might touch off another boom.

By car
Approaching from the south, take Highway 11 (Trans-Canada Highway) north from North Bay, and exit onto to Highway 11B north of Coleman. Approaching from the north, take Ontario Highway 11B (King Street) south from Temiskaming Shores. Winter driving can be a concern.

By bus

 * A bus route operates between North Bay and Timmins including stops in Temagami, Cobalt, Temiskaming Shores (Haileybury, New Liskard, Dymond), Kirkland Lake, and Matheson. Travel time to Cobalt from North Bay is 1.75 hours. Timed connection is available at Matheson from Cochrane.

Get around
The Temiskaming Transit bus service connects Cobalt to Temiskaming Shores from 6AM to 11:15PM, hourly on weekdays and Saturdays, every 2 hours Sundays, and no service on holidays. $3.50 per adult, $3.25 for a student or senior (55+), free for children (Sep 2021).

See
Cobalt has some run-down buildings that used to be stores. You could take pictures of yourself in front of them, but the doors are locked and nobody is home.

Cobalt has some old mineshafts from when the town started up. Tours are available in July and August.

Because it is so far north, many attractions are operated seasonally.



Sleep
Hotel/motel accommodation is available in Temiskaming Shores.

Camping is available locally.

Go next
North to Temiskaming Shores.