Name of the Project
Kwinana fertiliser project.

Location
Kwinana Industrial Area, Western Australia.

Project Owner/s
Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia and Independence Group (IGO).

IGO acquired a 49% interest in Tianqi Lithium in 2020 through a share subscription, giving the company a 49% interest in the Kwinana plant.

Project Description
The proposed project entails the construction of a dedicated liquid urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) pipeline, which will follow the alignment of the existing CBH grain terminal jetty, crossing the shoreline and proceeding underground to the proposed onshore facility.

The facility will comprise three liquid UAN storage tanks, with a total capacity of 48 000 t; a shed for the storage of up to 80 000 t of dry fertiliser; water management infrastructure, including swales; a 3 000 m3 evaporation pond; hardstand areas, including access roads, truck washdown bays, a site office and amenities, and weighbridges.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
IGO is expected to produce its first battery-grade lithium hydroxide from the first train of its Kwinana lithium hydroxide facility shortly.

IGO COO Matt Dusci told delegates at Paydirt’s Battery Minerals conference, in Perth, that construction of the 24 000 t/y Train 1 was on track, with the company also having committed A$18-million to construction of Train 2, which will add a further 24 000 t/y of production capacity.

Construction of Train 2 is slated to start in the first half of 2023, with an early works programme expected to start in the second half of this year.

There is further potential to expand refining capacity at the Kwinana facility by adding two trains, taking full production capacity to 96 000 t/y.

The Kwinana facility is part of IGO’s joint venture Tianqi Lithium Corporation, which also includes the Greenbushes lithium mining and processing operations.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
IGO, tel +61 8 9238 8300 or email contact@igo.com.au.