Page 17 - pd285-Aug20-mag-web_Neat

2020

BATTERY Western Australia: Home of the hub

MINERALS Wmajor processing, manufacturing and cessing capabilities to manufacture nickel- the viability of producing ultra-stable NCM/
estern Australia’s status as a potential
NCA cathode materials with a clear path to
rich hydroxide precursors.
trading hub for battery precursors was en-
FBICRC chief executive Stedman Ellis
“It forms the roadmap for a three to four-
hanced last month in a report produced by told Paydirt that battery grade precursors commercialisation.
the State Government’s Minerals Research would be a key focus of CRC research and year project to demonstrate pilot plant capa-
2 November – Pan Pacific Perth Institute of WA (MRIWA). development, offering a very solid value-add bility at CSIRO’s Waterford facilities, repur-
MRIWA’s Li-ion battery cathode manufac- for those investing in the journey. posing the existing BHP nickel sulphate pilot
It has been forecast that by 2030 the glob-
NEW DATE ANNOUNCED ture in Australia report revealed that estab- al lithium-ion battery market will be worth plant,” he said.
lishing a battery manufacturing facility in WA
“This is a flagship project within the CRC’s
was technically and commercially feasible, about $136 billion. initial research portfolio of 15 projects being
particularly given the State produced nine of “The growing use of EVs is expected to driven to deliver solutions for industry par-
copper graphite tin cobalt lithium manganese vanadium rare earths
the 10 minerals specific to lithium-ion batter- drive massive growth in the lithium-ion bat- ticipants and develop new projects where
ies. tery sector. Supporting this growth offers big appropriate; a potential 16th project on mine
The report, commissioned by Future Bat-
SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS: teries Industry Cooperative Research Cen- opportunities given WA’s endowment of key electrification is also being scoped.”
Commenting on MRIWA’s report findings,
mineral resources and emerging technical
tre (FBICRC) and undertaken by Queens- grade battery chemical industry with BHP’s WA Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill John-
land University of Technology with support [Ltd] nickel sulphate plant and Tianqi and Al- ston said the potential for WA to diversify its
from Hatch Engineering and Curtin Universi- bermarle’s lithium hydroxide plant,” Ellis said. economy, create jobs and place Australia at
ty, found that a cathode precursor pilot plant “This puts WA on the cusp of being able to the forefront of the global battery revolution
could be built at CSIRO’s Waterford facilities go further downstream and develop capabil- was clear.
in Perth. ity for engineered products in the manufac- “The McGowan Government’s Future
FBICRC’s cathode precursor pilot plant is ture of batteries – the precursor cathode and Battery Industry Strategy continues to [en-
crucial in building knowledge of how to con- anode chemistries. This report provides a hance] WA’s battery chain capability and in-
Hon. Bill Johnston MLA John Prineas Matt Dusci struct an industrial scale plant in WA. state-of-the-art technical assessment on the vest in research to lead the nation’s growth in
Minister for Mines and Petroleum Executive Chairman Chief Operating Officer Australian Minister for Industry, Science process to establish precursor manufacture the uptake of opportunities across the whole
Government of Western Australia St George Mining Ltd IGO Limited and Technology Hon Karen Andrews offi- in WA. It confirms its technical and commer- global battery value chain.”
cially launched FBICRC’s flagship research cial feasibility as a foundation for laboratory – Mark Andrews
project in March. The stated objective is to and pilot scale testing.”
run the pilot to establish technical and pro- Ellis said the project was aimed at proving

PureGRAPH ®
Joe Belladonna Scott Williamson Andrew Radonjic
CFO and Company Secretary Managing Director Managing Director The tough choice
Western Areas Ltd Blackstone Minerals Ltd Venture Minerals Ltd
For wear products that are stronger, giving better tear
and abrasion resistance to pipe spool linings, bucket
liners, conveyor spools and screen media.

Mark Thompson Allan Mulligan Andrew Spinks
Director Executive Director Managing Director Is your wear materials supplier providing you with
®
Talga Resources Ltd Walkabout Resources Ltd EcoGraf Ltd PureGRAPH enhanced products?
Do you want to rein in costs and reach
maximum profitability?
SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS TO DATE:
Then insist on PureGRAPH enhanced wear products.
®
Without PureGRAPH you will be experiencing unnecessarily
®
increased wear rates and shorter times between
maintenance stand-downs.
Adding just a small percentage of our revolutionary
PureGRAPH graphene additive to your polyurethane or
®
TPU resin mix, increases wear mechanicals by 40%.
PureGRAPH enhanced products are already being used by
®
major mining companies, with improved wear rates and longer
periods between stand downs and replacement.
To learn more and receive a technical data sheet get in touch today.
www.batterymineralsconference.com +61 1300 660 448 or info@firstgraphene.net
First Graphene Ltd 1 Sepia Close, Henderson WA 6166 Australia
To present, exhibit or attend as a delegate please contact Namukale Nakazwe
on (+61) 8 9321 0355 or email kale@paydirt.com.au aUSTRaLIa’S PaYDIRT aUgUST 2020 Page 17