The WA state budget is set to include $5.5 million towards developing a Lithium hydroxide facility in the Goldfields, Kalgoorlie. A lithium ‘taskforce’ is also being established to maximise Western Australia’s lithium benefits.
With another lithium facility in the pipeline, Western Australia is set to see a major job boost with the new Eastern Goldfields project. The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is being assisted by the Government with the activation of the section of land to make way for the new Lithium Hydroxide Facility. When the development is completed, the Kalgoorlie Lithium Hydroxide Facility is predicted to produce a premium battery-quality lithium product suitable for use in the lithium-ion battery industry. Lithium hydroxide is a key ingredient for electric vehicle and stationary batteries.
Neometals (a WA based technology and minerals developer), has signed an agreement with the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, with plans of undertaking engineering studies as a part of a broader feasibility study on the selected area.
“Neometals has and will always look to support the Kalgoorlie community, as it shares a deep history with the mining town,” said a member from Neometals developments, Chris Reed.
“The Kalgoorlie Lithium Hydroxide Plant will bring a number of advantages to both Neometals and Kalgoorlie including job creation, local economy stimulation and will also create a large focus on Kalgoorlie with such a big project in a rapidly growing commodity space being located and established in the region,” the development company said in a statement.
This news comes off the bat of the McGowan Government committing provisional funding for the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia, with plans to continually support development and manufacturing of technology metals and renewable energy sources. The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage are working collaboratively with the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder to facilitate the development of this strategic industrial site.
“The development of the Kalgoorlie Lithium Hydroxide Facility will put the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia at the forefront of this growing resource industry,” commented Lands Minister Rita Saffioti.
“The State Government and City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder will continue to work together to ensure that this development creates a jobs boost which will benefit the Eastern Goldfields community,” she said.
“The mining and processing of tech metals will provide a new Golden Age for this region – and indeed for WA,” voiced Regional Development Minister, Alannah MacTiernan.
“It is great to see State and local governments coming together to drive these opportunities for 21st-century industry,” she said. The site will be leased to the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder for 21 years with an option for a further 21 years after the first term of the lease.
