Monadelphous wins $200m contract for works on Kemerton plant expansion

Monadelphous Group Limited has announced that it has been awarded a $200 million contract by Albemarle for works associated with the expansion of the Kemerton lithium hydroxide plant in Western Australia. 

The contract will include the delivery of front-end pyromet structural, mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation works associated with the proposed two new lithium processing trains (trains 3 and 4). 

Monadelphous is due to begin works on site later this year, with completion expected in the second half of 2025. 

“We are extremely pleased to have secured these key construction opportunities, and look forward to continuing to deliver high quality solutions for customers, as well as supporting local communities through the provision of employment and supply opportunities,” Monadelphous Managing Director Zoran Bebic said. 

The award of this contract to Monadelphous follows the completion of the construction packages on trains 1 and 2 as well as the recently awarded long-term maintenance and sustaining capital projects contracts at the Kemerton operations. 

Aerial shot of Kemerton operations (source: Albemarle)

The Kemerton Expansion project aims to double the capacity of the Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing plant by constructing trains 3 and 4. 

The first phase of the Kemerton project included the construction, commissioning, ramp-up and operations of the first two processing trains that have the capacity to produce 50,000 metric tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually. 

At full capacity with all processing trains, the Kemerton plant will be able to produce up to 100,000 metric tonnes of lithium hydroxide a year. 

The Kemerton plant was designed to process almost 1 million tonnes of spodumene ore concentrate annually, which is sourced from the Talison Greenbushes operations. 

The Kemerton Expansion project is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs during its construction phase and about 400 additional operational jobs. 

The Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing plant is located within the Kemerton Strategic Industrial Area, near Bunbury. 

“Expansion at Kemerton is an exciting opportunity for the State and the South West region, which will continue to deliver significant economic benefits through jobs in construction and in operations, and opportunities for local supply, business and community investment,” Albemarle said. 

Source: Monadelphous Group Limited; Albemarle; Australian Mining; Australian Resources