Major construction begins on $1bn Kemerton lithium plant WA

The first sod has been turned to signal the beginning of major construction on Albemarle’s $1 billion Kemerton lithium plant in Western Australia, a project that is expected to create 500 construction jobs and a further 500 jobs once it is operational.

The Kemerton plant is going to be built on an 89-hectare site that is located in the Kemerton Strategic Industrial Area approximately 160 kilometres south of Perth and 17 kilometres north east of Bunbury.

Once the lithium plant is operational, it will be processing spodumene ore concentrates from the nearby Talison Lithium Greenbushes mine, producing up to 100,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide a year.

The State Government will be working together with Albemarle to ensure work opportunities on the project are maximised for locals in Collie, Bunbury as well as in the South-West and Murray-Wellington areas.

An Economic Development Plan is going to be established to help identify strategies and training that will assist the workforce in the South-West in order for them be able to participate in WA’s Future Battery Industry Strategy.

“My Government’s number one priority is creating local jobs for local workers, so we have been working with Albemarle to make sure there are opportunities for local South-West workers from Collie, Bunbury and Murray-Wellington.

“With up to 1,000 local jobs being created, this project will be a huge economic boost for the South-West region and will show the capability Western Australia has in the lithium-ion battery sector,” Premier Mark McGowan said.

In February 2019, Civmec was awarded the contract to build the lithium hydroxide plant.

Albemarle’s Kemerton lithium plant is due for completion and be commissioned by March 2021.

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Source: Government of Western Australia; The West Australian; The Sydney Morning Herald