Western Australia Lithium is proceeding with plans to build a new lithium refinery in Kwinana, subject to satisfactory studies.
WA Lithium, a 50/50 joint venture between Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile and Kidman Resources, today signed an agreement to enter into an Option to Lease with LandCorp for the selected site.
Almost 400 jobs will potentially be created during the construction of the refinery, which is expected to start in mid-2019. Additionally, the company’s lithium mine and concentrator will create about 300 jobs during construction and 150 jobs during the operational phase.
The refinery will produce about 40,000 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate and/or lithium hydroxide from the mineral processed at the proposed mine and concentrator at Mt Holland, south-east of Southern Cross.
The Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) is set to receive $5.5 million in funding to support development and manufacturing of technology metals and renewable energy sources.
MRIWA will invest the funds, if successful, in its bid to establish a New Energy Industry Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) in WA.
The New Energy Industry CRC’s objective will be to create value, through industry-led research, and drive global demand for local products, services and solutions.