- Write by:
-
Friday, May 5, 2023 - 00:29:30
-
176 Visit
-
Print
Mining News Pro - Albemarle has announced its decision to build two additional processing trains at the Kemerton lithium hydroxide plant in WA, making it the largest investor in downstream lithium processing in the country.
The expansion will increase Kemerton’s production capacity by 50 kilo-tonnes per annum, doubling total production to 100 kilo-tonnes per annum, making Albemarle the largest producer of lithium in Australia.
The increase in production capacity is enough to support the production of batteries for over two million electric vehicles each year.
The additional two trains will cost the company an estimated US$1.25 to US$1.5 billion. The first two trains were completed at Kemerton in 2022 at a cost of roughly US$1 billion. These earlier trains were commissioned as part of a Mineral Resources and Albemarle Joint Venture, with Albemarle holding an 85 per cent interest.
But the new trains will be wholly Albemarle owned, and will process premium spodumene concentrate from the company’s world-class Greenbushes lithium mine.
Albemarle chief executive officer, Kent Masters, said Australia is essential to the global supply chain for energy storage.
“Our decision to expand was driven by our confidence in future demand and allows us to offer customers additional supply from Greenbushes, well known as one of the world’s best lithium mines.”
Albemarle president of energy storage, Eric Norris, echoed a similar sentiment.
“Kemerton is a world-class facility, and we’re proud to be making another significant investment in downstream processing in Australia,” he said.
Last month Albemarle invested $125.6 million in a new workers’ village to support the Kemerton expansion.
The housing project will encompass the development of 200 four-bed villas, as well as a lap pool, mini golf course, and large car park in Australind, WA.
Albemarle has also been looking to expand outside of its own operations, in March submitting a takeover offer of lithium explorer Liontown Resources for $5.2 billion.
But Liontown’s board rejected the offer, and in response Albemarle acquired almost five per cent in Liontown’s shares through on-market purchases.
Short Link:
https://www.miningnews.ir/En/News/622894
Chinese carmaker BYD Co has postponed plans to produce lithium cathodes for electric vehicle (EV) batteries in Chile by ...
Australian-based Atlantic Lithium Ltd., which is developing Ghana’s first lithium mine, has taken a step toward raising ...
Truck drivers in Chile staged protests Monday in the mineral-rich north of the country and around the capital Santiago, ...
Canada’s mining industry is pushing for an carveout to the federal government’s proposed increase to capital gains ...
London-based Savannah Resources will if necessary ask Portugal’s government to authorize compulsory land acquisitions ...
India is considering offering incentives to encourage private companies to set up lithium processing facilities, as New ...
London-based Savannah Resources will if necessary ask Portugal’s government to authorize compulsory land acquisitions ...
Australia will spend A$566 million ($373 million) over the coming decade to map out resource deposits with a focus on ...
Equinor on Wednesday said it has entered an agreement with Standard Lithium to acquire a 45% stake in lithium projects ...
No comments have been posted yet ...