Pilbara Minerals nets $15m grant

Three major job-creating regional projects will receive a multimillion-dollar funding boost as part of the WA Government clean energy plan to diversify the economy and set WA up for the future.

The WA Government has allocated $34m through its Investment Attraction Fund to three clean energy projects that will drive new job opportunities across WA.

WA Premier Roger Cook says WA is on track to become a global clean energy powerhouse, to keep its economy for the long term and create the jobs of the future in the State.

“These projects are at the cutting edge of the global energy transition — whether it’s reducing emissions from steel or producing the batteries the world needs for a clean energy future,” he said.

POSCO and Port Hedland Iron have been awarded $15m million for their Port Hedland Iron Project, which aims to decarbonise the steel manufacturing supply chain with production of low carbon hot briquetted iron for export to the Asian market.

Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) has been allocated $15m for its demonstration-scale plant that incorporates an industrial-scale electric spodumene calciner, which converts critical mineral concentrates into high-value battery precursors.

International Graphite (ASX: IG6) has been awarded $4m to fast-track the Springdale Graphite Resource for its Collie downstream processing facilities and to develop the next stages of technology and processes required to produce critical battery materials.

The funding is part of the WA Government’s Investment Attraction Fund (IAF) New Energies Industries Funding Stream, which also included $26m announced in November for two carbon capture and storage projects.