Australian Vanadium chooses site for downstream processing

Battery materials company Australian Vanadium (AVL) has implemented its merger with Technology Metals Australia and has completed work on an Optimised Feasibility Study (OFS) to consolidate the two adjoining projects across one orebody.

AVL said the consolidated project showed a 39 percent increase in measured and indicated categories for the high vanadium grade ore and increased iron concentrate grades.

The study had also identified Tenindewa near Geraldton in Western Australia as the preferred location for the downstream processing plant for the project.

This would process material from the company’s mine, crushing, milling and beneficiation plant located at Gabanintha near Meekatharra.

In March AVL announced it had successfully produced its first high purity vanadium electrolyte at its Perth facility, ready for use in vanadium redox flow batteries.

Australian Vanadium CEO Graham Arvidson said: “By focusing on the most promising sections of the orebody and conducting a comprehensive analysis to select the optimal location for the downstream processing plant, we have now finalised the key foundations from which the remaining OFS activities can fully define a ‘stronger for longer’ version of the project which has been unlocked through the recent merger.

“The team will now execute the remaining OFS scope to maximise project definition and bankability, while minimising project execution risk.

“…AVL continues to assess opportunities to utilise federal grant funding which provides options for activities such as detailed engineering and acceleration of project schedule by proceeding with long lead equipment orders.”

Arvidson said the company anticipated growing demand for vanadium flow batteries, which were a cornerstone of long duration energy requirements of the net zero carbon energy transition.

“We expect product from the Project will largely report to the electrolyte market, primarily in Australia through AVL subsidiary VSUN Energy.”

Further reading:
Australian Vanadium merges with TMT Australia
Australian Vanadium produces first battery electrolyte

Image: Australian Vanadium Limited/ASX announcement