Three of WA’s major clean minerals processing projects received a $34 million funding boost from the WA Government’s Investment Attraction Fund.
The projects will help diversify WA’s economy by supporting Australia’s and the world’s energy transition, and drive new job opportunities. They include:
- $15m for Pilbara Minerals and Calix’s Mid-stream Demonstration Plant project at its Pilgangoora lithium operation in the Pilbara.
- $15m for POSCO’s Port Hedland Iron Project.
- $4m to support International Graphite’s graphite downstream processing facility at Collie.
Decarbonising lithium processing supply chain
Through a joint venture, Pilbara Minerals and Calix aim to construct and operate a demonstration-scale plant with the world’s first industrial-scale electric spodumene calciner.
In October, Pilbara Minerals and Calix announced construction works not currently under contract for the project would be paused until lithium market conditions were supportive or further government support for project continuation could be secured.
Pilbara Minerals Managing Director and CEO Dale Henderson says the State Government funds will help support the company’s ambition to bring downstream lithium processing onshore and reduce carbon emissions of the global lithium industry.
“This funding boost goes a long way to supporting the delivery of the Mid-stream Demonstration Plant project and will enable the JV to consider recommencement of the project,” he says.
“We remain fully supportive of the mid-stream strategy and our joint venture, recognising the project’s potential to transform the lithium supply chain through lower emissions and value-adding processing.”
The Federal Government committed $20m to the project in 2022 under the Modern Manufacturing Initiative.
Sustainable steel for Asia
South Korean steel manufacturer POSCO’s Port Hedland Iron Project aims to decarbonise the steel manufacturing supply chain with production of low carbon hot briquetted iron for export to the Asian market.
“Western Australia is key to our planning. The Pilbara has clear potential given the proximity to iron ore supplies, the potential development of large-scale renewables in the region and access to the world-class port operations at Port Hedland,” POSCO Senior Executive Vice President Yu-Kyung Lee told Business News.
Graphite processing for batteries
International Graphite was awarded $4m to fast-track the Springdale Graphite Resource for its Collie downstream processing facilities and to develop the next stages of technology and processes required to produce critical battery materials.
Last year, the company was one of the first to secure funds through the WA Investments platform.
WA Investments – a collaboration between CCIWA and the WA Government’s Invest and Trade Western Australia – showcases the State’s investment-ready projects and connects businesses to local and international investors.
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