Global factors have driven demand at Western Australia’s Greenbushes lithium spodumene deposit, the output of which now accounts for about 22 per cent of the global lithium market.
Spodumene concentrate – from which lithium is derived – is used globally to manufacture various products, including lithium-ion batteries used to power green energy technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs).
Greenbushes Lithium Operation has experienced an increase in global demand, driving record production – resulting in an uplift of 190 new jobs in the past year – and bringing the local operations workforce to over 900.
In the September 2022 quarter, Greenbushes achieved record production of 361,227t of spodumene concentrate – an increase of seven per cent from the June 2022 quarter.
Western Australia is the largest lithium supplier in the world, accounting for 52 per cent of global supply in 2021, and accounted for 100 per cent of Australia’s lithium production in 2021.
Greenbushes alone contributed 50 per cent of the 267,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalents mined in Australia in 2021.
Construction is underway, and further plans are in place – which are subject to state approvals – to expand the existing mine, increasing its production capacity by approximately a further 50 per cent, and maintain a production life of more than 20 years, and is estimated to support an additional 680 permanent jobs over the next five years, in addition to the 450-550 construction jobs which will be created.
Expanding the Greenbushes mine will help increase the state’s participation in global battery and critical mineral supply chains, and job-creating manufacturing opportunities.
Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan, said expanding the Greenbushes mine will help increase the state’s participation in global battery and critical mineral supply chains, and job-creating manufacturing opportunities.
“Based on the growing production and demand, Greenbushes is home to the highest grade lithium in the world, and reinforces WA’s strength and ability to supply the world with the battery and critical minerals it needs to transition to net zero,” Mr McGowan said.
“Demand for green energy technologies like EVs is driving exploration and investment in the state – which has been a key focus for my Government and is why I advocated for Albemarle to establish operations in Western Australia.
“My Government is committed to making sure this increase in activity delivers benefits for communities in our regions, including jobs for the future.”
