Park. It could set the future management of other significant industrial areas such as Oakajee but should begin with a sole focus on the WTC. This would require either: ● ● A statutory authority be established for the whole of the Western Trade Coast, inclusive of management of the SIP; or ● ● The Industrial Lands Authority mandate a special purpose vehicle under their restructuring specifically to manage the WTC. This authority would be responsible for activating, managing and promoting facilitated industrial parks within the WTC such as a Lithium Valley Park inclusive of a plug and play approach covering specifics such as utilities, visas, industrial relation services, and other opportunities to facilitate ease of entry for set up of new companies in both the New Energy metals and ship sustainment space. Professional management with a proactive commercial Business Development focus is critical for a successful industrial park. Activities to be carried out are further described in this document. 3.3.9. Regional Lithium Valley: E-cycling facilities in Geraldton and Minerals processing in Kemerton, the Pilbara, Kimberley and Goldfields Develop energy metal recycling facilities at Geraldton as part of Oakajee as well as mineral processing in Kemerton, the Pilbara, Kimberley and Goldfields. E-recycling is a critical new industry required in WA. This will involve significant investment and co-ordination between industry and government, however there are competitive advantages that can be captured if a suitable location can be found. As an international point of differentiation the development should be sustainable and use the maximum amount of renewable energy possible (wind and solar) as can be found in the Geraldton region at Oakajee. Developing the technologies and skill bases to encourage recycling should be prioritised. The facility is linked by rail to the Perth region. This development should be part of Oakajee. Importing e-waste through Geraldton Port is feasible as it is easily accessible to Oakajee. Currently more than 95% of lithium ion batteries are deposited in landfill. This has a direct impact on the exploitation of scarce resources and unsustainable extraction practices of components such as cobalt, and raises the significant incidence of fires, uncontrolled toxic waste and toxic gas release. International sanctions on the dumping of e-waste are increasing in response to environmental and social impacts from poorly managed operations combined with under-resourced governance and protection frameworks. In comparison, Western Australia can effectively avoid social or environmental risks. According to industry participants the demand growth for recycling of energy materials will follow the growth of their virgin components by some 5-10 years. Accordingly, there is a window of opportunity for Geraldton to combine the extractive technology capability of WA’s mining industry with its recycling commitments to develop next-generation recycling excellence. The following opportunities could be considered as part of developing the NIE recycling capability: ● ● Waste stream across the supply chain - both mine site waste dumps, capturing waste stream from domestic and commercial outputs prior to disposal, and recovery from landfill sites. ● ● Encourage the discovery and commercialisation of comprehensive energy material recycling. ● ● Material safety standards be reviewed, enhanced as required and enforced for the handling and transport of all e-waste. ● ● Attract to NIE downstream industries that will reuse recycled materials, combined with virgin materials to produce additional high value-added products. ● ● Mandating the recycling of all e-waste. ● ● Phasing out of e-waste exports.
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