Kidman Resources Ltd (ASX:KDR) will lease an industrial site at Kwinana in Western Australia for its proposed lithium refinery.
Western Australia Lithium (WAL), Kidman’s 50:50 joint venture with Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile has entered into an option with Western Australian Land Authority.
The site in the Kwinana Strategic Industrial Area was selected following a review of three potential sites in the region.
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One of the reasons for the choice was the abundance of critical infrastructure surrounding the site.
The option is for 24 months during which time final lease terms will be agreed.
Managing director and CEO Martin Donohue said: “Putting our foot on the Kwinana site is a major step in Kidman delivering its strategy of being an ASX-listed integrated manufacturer of battery-grade refined lithium.
“Importantly, this announcement follows our recent comments regarding the high level of interest we have experienced from various parties seeking refined lithium offtake.”
DFS for refinery
WAL is advancing a definitive feasibility study for the refinery, which is expected to be completed in late 2018.
It plans to commission the refinery in 2021 with an initial annual nameplate capacity of around 44,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide or 37,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate.
400 construction jobs
The refinery is expected to create about 400 construction jobs and 150 fulltime direct roles once in operation.
There are also 300 jobs to be created during construction of Kidman’s Mt Holland mine and concentrator and 150 fulltime direct roles once the mine and concentrator are operational.