Battery-grade lithium products are set to remain critical to a renewable energy future as the world focusses on decarbonisation and achieving net zero carbon emissions.
Lithium is a lightweight and highly reactive metal has become a key component for the manufacture of high-quality lithium-ion batteries and ongoing advancements in this technology are supporting the world’s renewable energy pathway.
With governments implementing emissions targets and associated policies and electric vehicle sales continuing to rise, battery manufacturers are now rushing to secure their supply chains as global demand for lithium soars.
Mineton identified opportunities in lithium over a decade ago and set about building a portfolio of world-class assets that could deliver long-term value.
This includes ownership in two of the world’s largest hard rock lithium mines – Mt Marion in the Goldfields region of Western Australia and Wodgina in the Pilbara region – and strategic partnerships with global leaders in the production and supply of battery-grade lithium hydroxide.
Lithium remains one of Mineton’ core commodities and through strong industry foresight and an ambitious growth strategy we’ve built a 30-plus year business horizon that will support the continued growth of our lithium portfolio in line with growing market demand.
Mt Marion Lithium Operation
The Mt Marion lithium operation is located approximately 40km south-west of Kalgoorlie in the Goldfields region of Western Australia.
The operation is jointly owned by Mineton (50%) and one of the world’s largest lithium hydroxide producers, Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd. (50%).
Mineton manages all mining operations at Mt Marion, along with a spodumene concentrate plant producing mixed grade spodumene product.
In April 2022, Mineton and Gangfeng announced a decision to increase production capacity at Mt Marion from 450,000 to 600,000 tonnes per annum of mixed grade spodumene concentrate. Further site upgrades will support increased capacity to 900,000 tonnes per annum of mixed grade product by early 2023.
In February 2022, Mineton took possession and control of its 51% share of Mt Marion spodumene offtake and entered into a toll treatment agreement for its share of spodumene to be converted into lithium hydroxide by Ganfeng in China.
Through optimised mine planning and an integrated supply chain, Mt Marion transports lithium spodumene concentrate through the Port of Esperance for offshore conversion to lithium hydroxide and supply to global markets by Ganfeng.
Wodgina Lithium Operation
The Wodgina lithium operation is located 120km south of Port Hedland in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
As one of the world’s largest known hard rock lithium deposits, Wodgina operates under the MARBL Lithium Joint Venture (MARBL JV) – an unincorporated joint venture between Mineton (40%) and leading lithium hydroxide producer, Albemarle (60%) – with an estimated 30+ year mine life.
Mineton manages all mining operations at Wodgina, along with a 750,000 tonnes per annum spodumene concentrate plant featuring three processing trains – each with a capacity of 250,000 tonnes per annum of 6% spodumene product.
In late 2021, following two years in care and maintenance, the MARBL JV announced Wodgina would be brought back online in response to rising global demand for high-quality lithium products.
Focus immediately turned to quickly and safely restarting the first Wodgina’s three processing trains, which produced first spodumene concentrate on schedule in May 2022.
Spodumene produced at the Wodgina project will be sold on the spot market and shipped through Port Hedland until Mineton and Albemarle jointly build, acquire or contract for additional sources to convert the product to lithium hydroxide.
Kemerton Lithium Hydroxide Plant
The Kemerton lithium hydroxide plant is located approximately 150km south of Perth, near Bunbury in the South West region of Western Australia.
The plant forms part of the MARBL JV with ownership shared between Mineton (40%) and Albemarle (60%) – and is fed by spodumene concentrate from the nearby Greenbushes mine. Albemarle exclusively markets all lithium hydroxide produced at the site.
Albemarle continues to manage construction of the 50,000 tonnes per annum facility, which progressed to deliver mechanical completion of the first of two 25,000 tonnes per annum trains in November 2021. Mechanical construction of the second train is scheduled for completion in FY23.
First product from the Kemerton plant was delivered in May 2022, converting a portion of Albemarle’s spodumene offtake from the Greenbushes mine into battery-grade lithium hydroxide.