IGO has proposed building an integrated facility dedicated to the influx of battery metals to be developed on a large vacant land in Western Australia’s heart of the Kwinana strip.
The 30-hectare WA government site facility would be connected to a downstream nickel refinery in conjunction with Wyloo Metals – the plant focusing on high-value nickel using IGO’s refining technology and production expertise for a low-cost and low-carbon final product.
The proposed project is part of the state’s drive to seize the opportunity for a $55 billion battery industry, representing the t the nation’s first commercial production of pre-cursor anode material.
IGO Acting Chief Executive Matt Dusci said the plant could produce low-cost, low-carbon chemicals for the global battery and electric vehicle industry.
We need to continue to expand our participation throughout the battery supply chain, beyond just the mining of key raw minerals, in order to capture a greater share of the value. We believe the area where Australia can be most competitive is in mid-stream battery chemical processing,” Mr Dusci said.
He said securing the site provides a pivotal step in our ambitions to be better integrated into the battery supply chain.
“We strongly believe that by bringing the right partners together, to be delivered through an integrated battery material facility here in Western Australia,” he said.
“The Kwinana-Rockingham Strategic Industrial Area is rapidly emerging as a globally significant battery material hub with existing lithium hydroxide production, established infrastructure and a skilled residential workforce.”