Premier Colin Barnett has marked the start of works on a new lithium mine two kilometres north of Ravensthorpe which will provide a boost to the town’s families and businesses.
Mr Barnett said the new mine was good news for Ravensthorpe and surrounding communities and, more broadly, for Western Australia.
The Galaxy Resources Limited Mt Cattlin mine will start operation by the end of 2010 with a production target of 137,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate per annum over the minimum 15-year life of the mine. The ore will be exported to China for processing into long-life lithium batteries for use in hybrid and electric vehicles.
“As the company is committed to a residential workforce, the new project will provide jobs for displaced mining workers in the region, employing up to 100 people during construction and 75 when operational,” the Premier said.
“While dealt a hard blow earlier in the year by BHP Billiton’s closure of its Ravensthorpe nickel operations, this new lithium mine shows there is a bright future for the region.
“Earlier this year, the Liberal-National Government reacted swiftly to protect and support the local community after BHP Billiton’s announcement.
“The State Government allocated funding to the shire for local infrastructure and assistance for small businesses; in-principle support for the construction of the Hopetoun-Bremer Bay Road and maintenance of State health and education services in the area.
“I am pleased that the Government has worked efficiently and dealt with works approval for this new mine within agreed time frames so this can go ahead as soon as possible for the benefit of the community.
“WA is the world’s leading mining economy and the expansion of our presence in the mining of new minerals like lithium broadens that strength.
“Lithium is a strategic metal for the 21st century and will underpin emerging technologies, such as providing batteries that can charge faster and longer, helping to reduce the 20 per cent greenhouse emissions generated by transport.”
Ore from the new mine will be crushed, screened and washed onsite to produce a higher grade, inert ore with an appearance similar to gravel. This will then be exported in bulk through Esperance Port.
By 2010, Galaxy Resources’ Mt Cattlin mine will potentially be the world’s second largest hard rock producer of lithium and will proceed with value adding through a lithium carbonate plant near end users in China.
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