WA’s wallet-fattening battery dream closer to reality with mini-factory plan – WAtoday

Lithium companies such as Tianqi and Albemarle are already on the way to producing lithium hydroxide in WA but the report suggests the repurposed pilot-plant could prove the state could feasibly manufacture precursor materials further down the supply chain, including those that go into battery anodes and cathodes.
The report found WA produced nine of the 10 elements required to make lithium-ion batteries, which are expected to boom in demand when electric vehicle sales eclipse those of internal combustion vehicles.
Accelerating global demand presents Australia with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transition into a major processing, manufacturing and trading hub if an adequate business case can be built, the report said.
Critical components in advanced battery production precursor, anode, cathode, electrolyte can be manufactured in Australia.
There is plenty of money to be made if WA does take the leap into turning its rocks into battery materials.
The report found in 2017 the nation received just $1.13 billion in revenue from its lithium mining ventures despite the global precursor supply chain reaching about $22.1 billion in size.
In just five years the report said that supply chain could reach $375.7 billion.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston has not announced any funding for the pilot plant but told Radio 6PRs Gareth Parker that WA was an ideal place for value-adding to its mined materials thanks to a surplus of industrial land, competitive energy prices, a skilled workforce and ethical mining practices.
Mr Johnston said WA was not going to replace China as the global leader in processing battery materials, but it could provide an alternative pathway to the US and Europe, which are looking for ethically produced materials to weather trade disruptions.
The report demonstrates that Western Australia has the potential to become a major processing, manufacturing and trading hub for battery materials, he said.
This will help diversify the Western Australian economy, create jobs and place Australia at the forefront of the global battery revolution.

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