Building Australia’s first underground lithium mine
Over the past five years, lithium has rapidly become one of the defining minerals of the energy transition. In 2024 alone, lithium demand jumped about 30% year-on-year, significantly exceeding the 10% annual growth rate seen throughout the 2010s.
But since 2020, supply growth for battery metals also doubled, outpacing that growth in demand. As a result, lithium prices, which had surged eightfold during 2021-2022, fell by more than 80% between 2023 and 2025.
Now, the market is recovering, with demand expected to grow by more than three times by 2030 as energy storage demand for homes, power grids and AI data centres booms while demand for lithium-based technologies for heavy-duty trucks, ships, aircraft and robotics emerge.
As the market enters a new cycle defined by demand growth and rebounding prices, Liontown (ASX: LTR) is producing the high-quality lithium that can power it all.
Kathleen Valley is Australia’s first underground lithium operation. Right now, it’s ramping up production and early works have commenced for a planned expansion.
With a world-class orebody, fourth-generation process plant, one of Australia’s largest off-grid hybrid power stations and the southern hemisphere’s largest paste plant, Kathleen Valley has already established itself as one of the world’s most significant lithium operations.
Production at Kathleen Valley has been ramping up since July 2024 and now the site is delivering spodumene concentrate to customers supporting the world’s transition to a low-carbon future.
With Kathleen Valley expected to reach production of 2.8mtpa (ore feed) by June 2027, Liontown is taking a measured and consistent approach to sustainably reach its future expansion goals. Designed to capitalise on a strengthening lithium market, the expansion project focuses on both surface infrastructure and underground developments.
To mitigate potential scheduling and pricing risks, the company has committed $77m to an early works program and has also begun procuring critical equipment ahead of the delivery of a finalised investment decision — expected by the end of Q1 FY27.
Liontown has committed $12m to procure a 5.5MW ball mill, which has a lead time of about 12 months, and has begun the procurement of a third paste plant pump. By procuring these pieces of equipment, the company can unlock plant capacity progressively rather than waiting for a total plant overhaul, improving incremental cashflow and increasing its resilience to unexpected market shifts.
As the project will be occurring on an active mine site, construction activities must be carefully integrated into an existing operating environment without interfering with production.
Successful brownfield expansion projects require a high level of coordination and management, all of which are reliant on a highly skilled and trusted team. As a result, Liontown is currently recruiting for its expansion project team across a diverse range of roles, including engineers, maintenance, supervisors and operations.
Offering competitive salaries, access to superb facilities and state-of-the-art equipment and technology, Liontown provides an unparalleled experience in future-proof mining industry careers.
Liontown construction manager Laurent Basso says the work culture at Kathleen Valley is grounded in a strong sense of unity and belonging.
“I have worked for many major operators throughout my career, and I have often felt like just a number — at Liontown, you feel genuinely needed and cared for,” he said.
“Even as our team grows, we’ve kept that close-knit feel to ensure every worker keeps their individuality and is not seen as just a labour unit.
“From Liontown’s leadership team to the workers manning the equipment on site, you can feel that everyone believes in the project and they’re doing their best to bring it to life.”
As part of Liontown’s commitment to protecting its employees, contractors and guests, the company holds safety and well-being as a top priority in every aspect of its operations.
“We look after our people,” Mr Basso said.
“I’m always in my team’s corner, and they know that.”
Liontown strives to provide the best working conditions for its employees as it continues its journey towards becoming a key player in the low-carbon economy.
“You can see the positive impact that workplace culture has on employees in the quality of their work,” Mr Basso said.
“It’s simple — workers that know they are looked after deliver better outcomes.”
Working with Liontown is an opportunity to be part of a team that is building something truly unique.
