Hundreds of jobs created in Australian lithium refineries

Australian Kidman Resources and its joint venture partner, SociedadQuímicayMineradecile(SQM), plan to build a new lithium refinery in Kwinana, Western Australia.

The 50:50 joint venture, Western Australian Lithium, today signed an agreement to lease selected plots of land near Perth.

It is expected that the refinery will produce approximately 40,000 tons of lithium carbonate per year, as well as lithium hydroxide in minerals processed by the joint venture in mines and refineries proposed by MtHolland near the Southern Cross.

Construction of the refinery, which could create nearly 400 jobs, is expected to start in mid-2019.

The joint venture's lithium mines and processing plants are expected to create approximately 300 jobs during construction and 150 during the operational phase.

Washington mining minister Bieryuehansidun said the announcement cemented the state as an investment destination for downstream lithium processing.

"The amount of lithium, nickel, cobalt and other metals we need for our new energy technologies, together with our technical skills and our close proximity to Asia, means WA is taking advantage of the growing battery market," Johnston said.

The Western Australian Government also announced today that its national budget will include $5.5 million in temporary funding to the Western Australian Mining Institute (MRIWA) to support the development and manufacture of technical metals and renewable energy.

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