Western Australia Acting Premier Roger Cook

Work To Begin On Albemarle Lithium Hydroxide Processing Plant At Kemerton

Victor P Taffa

• Approvals clear path for lithium hydroxide processing plant in Kemerton, near Bunbury
• Albemarle Kemerton Plant to create more than 1,000 local jobs
• New project highlights important role of Strategic Industrial Areas (SIA’s) in supporting Western Australia’s economic prosperity

McGowan Government welcomes Albemarle Corporation’s commencement of site works for its lithium hydroxide manufacturing plant in the Kemerton Strategic Industrial Area.

“I am pleased that the State Government could facilitate the necessary approvals to allow Albemarle to begin bulk earthworks at the Kemerton site.” Acting Premier Roger Cook said.

“Commencement of construction by Albemarle demonstrates the benefits presented to the South-West and the State by the Government’s investment in Kemerton.”

Kemerton, the South-West’s largest strategic industrial area, is designed for major downstream processing industries that add value to the region’s primary resources.

Plant, to be constructed on an 89 ha site, has approval to process spodumene ore concentrate from the Talison Lithium Greenbushes mine, through 5 process trains. It is expected to produce up to 100,000 tonnes p.a. of lithium hydroxide.

With earthworks underway, development approval for construction of plant infrastructure will be sought from the Southern JDAP early in the new year.

Albemarle Kemerton Plant will create more than 500 construction jobs and an initial 100 operational jobs, increasing to 500 at full operational capacity. Commissioning of the Kemerton Plant is expected to begin in 2021.

McGowan Government is committed to creating and securing jobs for Western Australians, and will work with Albemarle to maximise the benefit of the project for the South-West region.