Lithium Valley Main Report 2018
6 Strategic Sites for Energy Metals, Power Storage and Recycling This section proposes a model and supporting evidence for developing a New Energy metals value adding industry in WA. Key considerations include: ● ● Primary processing (spodumene production) can be done anywhere; ● ● Secondary processing requires an array of chemical and other inputs that favour the Western Trade Coast; and ● ● Battery components can be manufactured anywhere, but will benefit from proximity to export facilities and refined New Energy metals. The section describes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of developing a New Energy metals industry in WA. 6.1 Primary Processing of Lithium and Rare Earths Lithium deposits are spread across WA and initial processing and beneficiation of the spodumene rock into a spodumene concentrate is likely to occur close to the mine site to reduce logistics costs. Currently, this spodumene concentrate is then exported overseas for further processing. There exists an opportunity to identify strategic locations in WA, such as Kemerton, Geraldton, Pilbara and the Kimberley for the primary processing of spodumene concentrate into carbonate or hydroxide. Similarly, these strategic locations could also be developed to process rare earths into oxides. After primary processing, the carbonates, hydroxides and oxides can be easily transported and either be exported or undergo domestic secondary processing.
of areas. However, there are usually sound commercial benefits to locate assembly facilities close to demand domestically or close to ports to export finished products. There are some issues with some of WA’s industrial sites from a marketing perspective as companies encouraged to locate within them are under the assumption that all base environmental approvals (such as flora and fauna assessments) have been completed. To move this industry forward, it is recommended to check all strategic industrial sites that are being marketed to industry against this assumption, and to clearly articulate up front what has to be done and how long it will take to get to construction. The best way forward would be to conduct a strategic Environmental Assessment that can enable industries to ‘Plug and Play’ if they can show they can meet the already assessed conditions.
To further refine lithium and rare earths into higher value commercial outputs, such as metal alloy ingots, electro-chemical processes require ease of access to a range of chemicals and other unique inputs at a low distributed cost. The Western Trade Coast at Kwinana is already a significant refining area as nickel and cobalt are already refined at Nickel West. Rare earths are not currently refined in WA although there are opportunities for doing so, particularly in Kwinana or possibly Geraldton. This depends on the company and government policy. In addition, there are all the reagents, raw materials, fabrication companies and testing/ processes/project companies available within a concentrated area. The assembly of power storage units are less constrained than alloys and electro-chemical processes and can take place in a number
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