South Korean agreement to bolster WA's battery chemical industry
- The Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) has signs new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM)
- The MOU will focus on research and development across the entire mining value chain with a particular focus on critical minerals
The McGowan Government, through the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM).
KIGAM is a Government-funded geoscience research organisation founded in 1918 which is at the forefront of leading innovation in geoscience and technology solutions to respond to current global issues such as climate change.
The MoU will support cooperation and provide a framework for the exchange of scientific and technical knowledge across the entire mining value chain with a particular focus on critical minerals.
While in the Republic of Korea, Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston witnessed the signing of the agreement as part of a McGowan Government mission to promote WA's capabilities.
This MoU further strengthens the relationship between WA and the Republic of Korea following the signing of a historic letter of intent by the Premier on 1 February 2023.
Comments attributed to Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston:
"This MoU will enable cooperation on research and exchange of information with our Korean trading partners to build capability and reaffirm the importance of Western Australia in the global supply of critical minerals.
"Transformational change is needed in how we find commodities, extract and process them, and convert them for use in manufacturing processes to support the global efforts in decarbonisation.
"This cooperation is an important step in developing a strong battery chemical industry in Western Australia, in partnership with the Korean industry."
Minister's office - 6552 6700