Tianqi Lithium and IGO have marked first production of battery-grade product from their Kwinana refinery, bringing the operation closer to full scale output.
Tianqi Lithium and IGO have marked first production of battery-grade product from their Kwinana refinery, bringing the operation closer to full scale output.
In what the venture is claiming as an Australian first, the refinery has produced more than 10 tonnes of lithium hydroxide to battery-grade specifications over several days.
China-based Tianqi owns 51 per cent of the lithium hydroxide refinery, with the remaining 49 per cent owned by joint venture partner IGO, which bought a stake in the operation last year.
The venture has been working to bring the refinery up to commercial-scale production, while also progressively improving product quality to battery-grade status.
It is tipped to produce up to 48,000t per annum once it reaches full capacity.
With first and consistent production under way, IGO says the next step is for the product to be independently verified.
From there it will be assessed by offtake customers, which is expected to be completed over the next four to eight months.
The plant will continue operating during the period.
Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia chief operating officer Raj Surendran said the milestone proved Australia had the capability to transition to a downstream supplier.
“We are immensely proud to demonstrate that Australia can value add to its minerals onshore as it enhances its reputation as a critical contributor to the production of batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage,” he said.
He noted there was still more work to be done on the plant, however.
“We also remain acutely aware that there is more work to do to establish the Kwinana plant as a reliable, significant producer of battery-grade lithium, starting with customer acceptance,” Mr Surendran said.
IGO shares closed the day 5.14 per cent higher to trade at $11.66.
