WA mid-stream processing gets jump start

Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) will receive $15m in grant funding from the WA Government’s Investment Attraction Fund for the Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant Project at the company’s Pilgangoora lithium operation.

A joint venture between Pilbara Minerals and Calix (ASX: CXL), aims to construct and operate a demonstration-scale plant featuring the world’s first industrial-scale electric spodumene calciner — decarbonising one of the most carbon-intensive processes in the battery materials supply chain.

Delivering a more lithium-enriched mid-stream product has the potential for industry-wide benefits including lower carbon emissions through the reduced transport of waste, greater utilisation of the mineral resource and overall value creation.

Pilbara Minerals managing director and chief executive Dale Henderson says ‘he applauds the WA Government for backing innovation and downstream processing in state.

“This is a great demonstration of the WA Government’s commitment to supporting downstream onshore processing and innovation through supporting two Australian companies in a project which could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions of the global lithium industry,” he said.

Completing the construction of this project will put WA in a stronger position when lithium market conditions turn by increasing benefits to the state in the form of employment, royalites and economic diversification.