Albemarle to double capacity at Kemerton lithium plant

New York-listed Albemarle has announced it will build two new processing trains at its lithium hydroxide processing plant and Kemerton, Western Australia, spending up to $US 1.5 billion in the biggest investment in downstream lithium processing in Australia.

Albemarle said on Wednesday that it would double capacity at the plant by adding processing trains three and four, taking this to 100,000 tonnes per annum and making it the biggest lithium producer in Australia.

“Our decision to expand was driven by our confidence in future demand and allows us to offer customers additional supply from Greenbushes, well known as one of the world’s best lithium mines,” said CEO Kent Masters.

Kemerton processes spodumene from the Greenbushes mine, which it owns 49 per cent of, with the remainder owned by IGO and Tianqi Lithium Corporation in a joint venture.

“This announcement is significant for Western Australia and highlights Australia’s growing importance in critical minerals supply chains,” said resources minister Madeleine King in welcoming the news of the Kemerton investment.

“Global demand for resources like critical minerals needed for electric vehicles and battery technologies is increasing as the world moves to decarbonise, and Australia has remarkable potential to meet this demand.”

Work is expected to begin immediately, with up to 1,000 workers required during the peak of construction.

The ABC reports that the first lithium production from the new trains is expected in 2026.

Picture: Kemerton lithium project (credit Civmec)

Further reading

LITHIUM FUTURE BECKONS FOR AUSTRALIA AS GIANT REFINERY APPROVED

IGO PRODUCES AUSTRALIA’S FIRST LITHIUM CHEMICALS AT KWINANA