A pilot project to produce High Purity Alumina (HPA) for use in battery technologies is helping to further establish Western Australia as a leading exporter of future battery minerals.
Premier Mark McGowan today congratulated FYI Resources on successfully completing its HPA pilot plant trial, which demonstrates the potential for commercial production of HPA.
FYI Resources’ flagship, commercial-scale project would represent a first in WA’s sale of HPA into the global battery market, and has the potential to expand the State’s future battery industry, and create hundreds of new jobs.
HPA is a high value, versatile material used in lithium-ion battery technologies as a coating for separators.
The project is expected to produce 8000 tonnes per annum of HPA over 25 years and create 140 construction and 200 operational jobs. Capital expenditure is estimated to be $238 million.
The project aligns with the McGowan Government’s Future Battery Industry Strategy, which aims to create a world-leading future battery industry which provides local jobs, contributes to skill development and economic diversification, and benefits regional communities.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“Western Australia is fast becoming globally recognised as a leading producer and exporter of future battery minerals, technologies and expertise.
“The State has many advantages including a vast array of critical and battery related minerals, advanced technical mining expertise and rigorous and tested approvals processes, ensuring high environmental and social outcomes.
“My Government is committed to driving and supporting the State’s growth in the uptake of opportunities across the battery value chain and creating jobs for all Western Australians.”
As stated by Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston:
“Western Australia is more than just a source of raw materials, it is also gaining momentum in the downstream processing space.
“The McGowan Government is committed to helping establish downstream processing projects across Western Australia within the future battery industry.
“While we have a global reputation as a stable investment destination, with an open economy that has low sovereign risk, Western Australia’s true advantage is our high technological capabilities.
“Western Australia is the perfect location for the development of the future battery industry because we have the materials, good governance and technological capability to make projects successful.”
