Consultation opens for WA battery and critical minerals strategy refresh

The WA State Government has released an important consultation paper in its efforts to refocus activities in the rapidly evolving battery and critical minerals sector.

Since the introduction of the Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy in 2019, WA has seen rapid growth of value-adding battery and critical minerals industries.

Since then, nickel sulphate and lithium hydroxide (the key chemicals in lithium-ion batteries) refineries have been established, plus two downstream rare earth processing plants.

As stakeholder input is vital in identifying priority actions to support industry development, a consultation paper seeking feedback to inform the refreshed strategy is now available.

The refreshed strategy aims to further grow WA’s battery and critical minerals industries with an emphasis on increasing domestic value-adding and manufacturing.

WA Energy Minister Bill Johnston commented on the refresh.

“WA is a globally significant battery and critical minerals processing hub and it is important we do all we can to further capitalise on this incredible opportunity,” he said.

“A diversified battery industry is forecast to contribute nearly $17b in gross value added and over 61,000 jobs to the national economy by 2030. This is more than twice the value first estimated in 2021.

“Hearing from the industry is critical to ensuring we have the right strategy in place to continue to grow into the future.”