WA’s high-grade vanadium metal project: “low-risk, high-profit”
Practical guidance to help your organisation build a Mutual Recognition Agreement
Mollie Tracey Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA Communications (CCIWA)
Vanadium batteries are shaping up to be an important piece of the renewable energy transition puzzle. Australian Vanadium Limited’s (AVL) project in Western Australia’s mid-west region is well placed to meet growing demand.
“The Australian Vanadium Project is located in a tier-1 (low-risk) mining jurisdiction and has a high-grade vanadium resource, suitable for industry-standard processing. “The project benefits from a supportive regulatory environment and access to well-established infrastructure, including transportation networks and skilled labour. “We are mindful of skills shortages impacting the construction industry and major projects, and welcome developments in skilled visa migration and the work being undertaken by schools, universities and industry to attract people into the industry.”
Vanadium is primarily used for making metal alloys for high- strength steel production for space vehicles, military aircraft, nuclear reactors etc. It is also critical for vanadium flow batteries (VFBs) for renewable energy storage. The Australian Vanadium Project (AVP) plans to target markets for both applications. It began development in 2015 and is aiming to commence construction next year, with production targeted for late 2025 or early 2026. The project will create just over 1000 jobs during construction and about 300 during operation. The project, which involves an open-pit mine near Meekatharra and a processing plant near Geraldton, is profiled on the WA Investments website, which has helped to raise $500+ million of capital. A low-risk, high-profit project AVL CEO Graham Arvidson says it is one of the most advanced vanadium projects being developed in the world.
Project to deliver mine and processing The AVP will potentially produce 11,200 tonnes of vanadium pentoxide over a mine life of at least 25 years. It is also aiming to produce an iron-titanium co-product and, at a separate manufacturing facility, vanadium electrolyte. Arvidson says there is potential to increase production and/or the mine life beyond the initial 25 years. “AVL’s ‘pit-to-battery’ strategy offers Australian downstream processing and manufacturing potential, with associated job creation,” he says. “The vanadium flow batteries are a long duration energy storage technology which is robust, non- flammable and scalable. It is one of the solutions required to enable the renewable energy transition.”
Professional services peak bodies and regulators seeking practical guidance on the development and implementation of mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) can now turn to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)C Mutual Recognition Agreements Toolkit. MRAs support mobility for professional services across the APEC region. Negotiated between professional associations, accreditation bodies and regulators, they streamline professional practice requirements between Australia and counterpart countries. Where MRAs are agreed it is easier for professionals to practise in each other’s jurisdictions based on their existing qualifications and licensing. They save time and money through streamlining, enhancing and benefiting APEC economies. The APEC MRA Toolkit, led and funded by Australia, places information and guidance on the streamlining of the recognition of professional qualifications and licensing processes at your fingertips. It also includes ideas on the use of the digital environment to increase efficiency and transparency. The APEC MRA Toolkit is based upon the analysis of existing MRAs across APEC forum economies and provides practical guidance around the following topics: • Understanding mutual recognition: key concepts and definitions • Approaching MRAs: common barriers and how to overcome them • Preparing for a MRA: factors to consider in the home economy • Assessing equivalency of standards: key principles and best practices • Choosing an instrument: different kinds of agreement • Building a MRA: the common elements of a MRA • Negotiating a MRA: process and pointers • Implementing and reviewing an MRA The APEC MRA Toolkit is available at: apec.org/publications/2023/10/mutual-recognition-agreements-toolkit
Professionals from APEC economies who want to find out whether their profession has mutual recognition or similar agreements with licensing bodies overseas can now access an online inventory of all known agreements on the recognition of qualifications and licensing of professionals and skilled service providers. The APEC Inventory of Mutual Recognition Agreements for Professional Qualifications and Licensure contains details of more than 210 agreements and is regularly updated, making it the most comprehensive database of MRAs across the Asia-Pacific region. The Inventory can be found at aasc.knack.com/mra-inventory
Merger to unlock material synergies The company secured a $49 million grant from the
Australian Government in May 2023 to support the project. In September it announced a proposed $217 million merger with Technology Metals Australia, which would consolidate two adjoining
This image: Geologist Gemma Lee and CEO Graham Arvidson at the project site. Below left: Australian Vanadium Limited Chief Operating Officer Todd Richardson examining AVL core.
projects across one orebody, unlocking material synergies.
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business envoy
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
business envoy
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