- Research consortium to evaluate new purposes for
lithium industry co-products
- Team of experts will explore uses for
'manufactured sand' in sustainable road infrastructure
- Supports existing Government strategies and
helps grow State's circular economy
The State Government has
partnered with industry to research alternative uses for the co-products of
lithium processing.
This collaborative
initiative brings together key stakeholders, including the Department of Jobs,
Tourism, Science and Innovation, the Department of Water and Environmental
Regulation, the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), Main
Roads Western Australia, ChemCentre, and leading lithium processors, to shape
the future of sustainable infrastructure.
The project focuses on
evaluating the potential use of Delithiated Beta Spodumene (DBS), a co-product
of processing lithium ore, as a road-building material.
This research will
provide further insight into the material's performance as an alternative to
virgin sand, as well as boosting confidence that the material is
environmentally safe for use in future infrastructure projects.
This work builds on an
existing demonstration of the material in the Wilman Wadandi Highway (Bunbury
Outer Ring Road Project) which was similarly overseen by ChemCentre and MRIWA.
This initiative, along
with the development of the Recovered Materials (RM) Framework legislative
reforms, are part of the State Government's commitment to advancing the
circular economy through the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy
2030 and the Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy 2024-2030.
Comments attributed to Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
"Through this initiative,
our goal is to promote the use of DBS in line with the Waste Avoidance and
Resource Recovery Strategy 2030, focusing on boosting resource recovery and
supporting a circular economy.
"The outcomes of this
project will contribute to a more circular economy, reducing reliance on
landfill, cutting carbon emissions and minimising environmental impact."
Comments attributed to Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael:
"With demand for critical
minerals expected to grow as the global clean energy transition gathers pace,
developing innovative, circular economy approaches linked to our mineral resources and their downstream processing provides great opportunities for the State.
"In a global setting
where governments are looking at ways to improve sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and society is demanding clean products, industry is having to work
harder than ever to be at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing and the
circular economy.
"I am proud the Cook
Government can support companies like Albemarle in its efforts to develop the Delithiated Beta Spodumene product."
