The Western Australian Government has allocated land at Kwinana for IGO Limited’s proposed Integrated Battery Material Facility (IBM Facility), marking an important milestone in the company’s strategy to vertically integrate into the battery supply chain.
IGO, in conjunction with Wyloo Metals, is working towards making a financial investment decision on the development of the project which involves integrating a downstream nickel refinery with a plant producing high-value nickel dominant precursor cathode active material (PCAM) for the battery supply chain.
The proposed IBM Facility would be constructed in the Kwinana-Rockingham Strategic Industrial Area on approximately 30ha of vacant industrial land leased from the State Government.
The proposed project would combine IGO’s disruptive nickel refining technology with PCAM production expertise via a low-cost and low-carbon process. The project would represent the first commercial production of PCAM in Australia and would align with the State Government’s drive to grow Western Australia’s future battery Industry.
The land secured for the proposed IBM Facility is located adjacent to the Kwinana Lithium Hydroxide Refinery which is owned by Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia (TLEA), a joint venture between IGO and Tianqi Lithium Corporation.
IGO’s Acting Chief Executive, Matt Dusci, said, “Australia is already playing an important role in the global supply of critical minerals required as the world transitions to clean energy.
“We need to continue to expand our participation throughout the battery supply chain, beyond just the mining of key raw minerals, in order to capture a greater share of the value. We believe the area where Australia can be most competitive is in midstream battery chemical processing.
Mr Dusci said the company is excited about securing the site at Kwinana and that the move is a pivotal step in IGO’s ambitions to be better integrated into the battery supply chain.
“We strongly believe that by bringing the right partners together, we will deliver a fully optimised nickel supply chain delivering low-cost, low-carbon, responsibly produced battery chemicals for the global battery and electric vehicle industry, to be delivered through an integrated battery material facility here in Western Australia.
“The Kwinana-Rockingham Strategic Industrial Area is rapidly emerging as a globally significant battery material hub with existing lithium hydroxide production, established infrastructure and a skilled residential workforce.
“I would like to acknowledge the support of the Western Australian State Government as we work together with a combined ambition of continued growth of the local battery chemical industry,” Mr Dusci said.
Key workstreams required before a Final Investment Decision can be made include engaging a partner with experience in PCAM production, delivery of a feasibility study in mid-2024, environmental permitting and approvals, broad stakeholder engagement and the achievement of key commercial outcomes.
IGO and Wyloo are currently advancing discussions with a global battery chemical manufacturer that has indicated strong interest in partnering in the project. This is an important step in integrating the parties’ technologies with IGO’s critical minerals to capture value across the supply chain.
