Australia's Lithium Mines Power Up to Meet Demand

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The increase in demand for electric vehicles and growth in the battery storage sector are propelling project investments by Australia's lithium mining industry.

Industrial Info is tracking 17 active lithium projects in Australia. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Metals & Minerals Project Database can click here for a list of detailed project reports.

Two refineries are under construction. The Kwinana Lithium Refinery, jointly held by Tianqi Lithium Corporation (Chengdu, China) (51%) and Independence Group (IGO) (South Perth, Western Australia) (49%), is in final commissioning, with first hydroxide production expected in fourth-quarter 2021. Albemarle's (NYSE:ALB) (Charlotte, North Carolina) Kemerton Lithium Refinery is due to ramp up in mid-2022 to produce 100,000 metric tons per year of lithium hydroxide and 200,000 metric tons per year of sodium sulfate.

Also in Kwinana, a final investment decision is expected on another lithium refinery project, a 50:50 joint venture by Wesfarmers Limited (Perth) and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM) (Santiago, Chile). Once approvals are made, the refinery is expected to be operational in 2024.

A definitive feasibility study is due for completion on the Kathleen Valley Lithium Project by Liontown Resources Limited (Perth) in fourth-quarter 2021, with production possible in early 2024.

Pilbara Minerals (West Perth) is proposing a Stage 2 expansion at its Pilgangoora Processing Plant and is working on a scoping study on a lithium salts project. The company also is working to restart the Ngungaju Lithium Processing Plant, which it acquired from Altura Mining (Perth).

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