Construction of the $1 billion Albemarle Kemerton Plant in Western Australia, Australia’s largest lithium processing plant, has commenced.
The plant will become Australia’s largest lithium hydroxide plant, with approval to produce up to 100,000 tonnes per annum of premium battery grade lithium hydroxide.
Western Australia is currently the number one global producer of lithium, the second largest global producer of rare earths, the third largest global producer of cobalt and the fourth largest global producer of nickel.
The Government of Western Australia is working with Albemarle to ensure job opportunities are maximised for local workers in the region.
Premier Mark McGowan said the plant will create 500 construction jobs and another 500 jobs once fully operational.
“With up to 1,000 local jobs being created, this project will be a huge economic boost for the South-West region and will show the capability Western Australia has in the lithium-ion battery sector.”
The WA Government is capitalising on the State’s unique resources and growth in the lithium-ion battery sector with the launch of the State’s Future Battery Industry Strategy, and the creation of the Lithium and Energy Materials Taskforce.
“In February 2018, I met with representatives from Albemarle in Washington DC to discuss the possibility of launching a lithium project of this magnitude in WA. I congratulate Albemarle on making this vision become a reality,” the Premier said.