Lithium

Construction starts on WA’s largest lithium plant

Construction starts on WA’s largest lithium plant

Albemarle Corp has entered the new year by launching construction of its Kemerton lithium hydroxide conversion site in Western Australia.

Site earthworks at Kemerton have started in line with the United States lithium giant’s projections of commissioning, which will be rolled out in several stages during the course of 2021.

WA's newest lithium mine officially opens, with plans to expand already in motion

WA's newest lithium mine officially opens, with plans to expand already in motion

The lithium train shows no sign of slowing in WA as the state's newest mine officially opens, with plans already in motion to expand the Pilbara operation.

The first shipment from Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project left the mine on October 2 but was officially opened by WA Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston on Friday.

Located 120 kilometres south of Port Hedland, the mine will produce 330,000 tonnes of lithium a year and about 300,000 pounds of tantalum.

The Pilgangoora project’s workforce peaked at more than 800 during construction, but now there are about 200 operational staff on-site and in Perth.