The Western Australian Government has announced new funding for a net zero magnesium refinery, with Magnium Australia to establish and construct a pilot plant to produce high-purity magnesium metal in Collie’s Light Industrial Area.
The $18 million pilot plant – supported by a $5 million grant from the Western Australian Government’s Collie Industrial Transition Fund – is set to pave the way in sustainable manufacturing through the establishment of a semi-commercial pilot plant.
Once operational, the pilot plant will enable commercial scale testing of the CSIRO-developed technology, offering transitioning workers in Collie a rare opportunity to gain exposure to next-generation technologies and skills.
Green Steel of Western Australia is working to establish a sustainably operated steel mill which processes local scrap steel to produce green steel reinforcing bars for local consumption and export.
Green Steel of Western Australia has partnered on the project with Danieli Group – a world leader in advanced Electric Arc Furnace-based green steel technology, which has already delivered more than 36 similar steel mills globally.
Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan, said his Government is absolutely committed to supporting the diversification of Collie’s economy to bring new, sustainable jobs for workers in town.
“Magnium Australia and Green Steel of Western Australia are moving forward with significant projects that will position Collie as a leading hub for emerging industries in Australia,” Mr McGowan said.
“Collie has a bright future, and we look forward to continuing to build a strong, sustainable economy for Collie and Western Australia.”
The pilot plant will have capacity to scale up to producing 800t of high purity magnesium metal and is a stepping-stone to building a large-scale magnesium refinery in Collie.
Subject to the completion of Magnium’s detailed feasibility study – supported by $2 million from the Collie Industry Attraction and Development Fund and scheduled to be completed later in 2023 – the full-scale magnesium refinery could commence operations in Collie in the coming years.
Western Australian Regional Development Minister, Don Punch, said the projects supported by the Western Australian Government are creating the jobs of Collie’s future and will positively impact the local economy which continues to be strengthened through diversification – setting up the Collie region for generations to come.
A further investment of $2.7 million from the Collie Industry Attraction and Development Fund will support Green Steel of Western Australia’s bankable feasibility study for its proposed Green Steel Recycling Mill in Collie.
Together, at commercial scale, the two projects have the potential to deliver around 600 permanent jobs in Collie and more than 1,000 jobs in construction.
Western Australian State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister, Roger Cook, said, “Through the grants for these two projects, we are setting Collie up as a home for new technologies and industrial opportunities, which at full scale, will provide high-value jobs for transitioning workers, young Western Australians entering the workforce, and those in sectors that support significant manufacturing operations.”
Member for Collie-Preston, Jodie Hanns, said the residents of Collie are thrilled to see local opportunities starting to surface in new and emerging industries and look forward to bringing high quality jobs to the region that offer the right exposure for our workers as we move into a green future for manufacturing.
