Australia-China government leaders visit Tianqi Lithium Kwinana plant
China Premier Li Qiang toured Western Australia’s only operating lithium hydroxide plant in Kwinana today as part of a three-day visit hosted by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to foster improved Australia-China trade relations.
The plant is owned and operated by Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia, a joint venture between Tianqi Lithium Corporation (TLC) – one of the top four lithium producers in the world, and Australian miner and explorer, IGO Ltd.
The TLEA joint venture is also the majority shareholder in the Talison Lithium Mine in Greenbushes, recognised as the largest, highest quality lithium deposit the world.
TLEA shareholder representatives from TLC and IGO included Founder Weiping Jiang, Executive Vice Chairman and COO Mr Wei Guo, Vice President Ms Xiong Wanyu and IGO CEO Ivan Vella were on hand to greet the delegation of more than 80 high-ranking officials, which included Australian Resources Minister Madeleine King and WA Premier Roger Cook, as well as representatives from the Chinese Consulate and business community.
Members of the Chinese community living in Western Australia lined the entrance to the Kwinana plant to welcome Premier Li and other officials.
TLC has been part of the Western Australian community for more than 40 years, first as a customer of the Greenbushes mine and from 2014 as the majority shareholder. In purchasing the mine, TLC committed to bring downstream processing to Australia.
Train 1 of TLEA’s Kwinana plant has a design capacity of 24,000 tonnes per year, with TLEA shareholders assessing the potential to resume works on Train 2.
All the lithium hydroxide produced at the plant will be exported to customers outside China for the EV battery market.
TLEA Chief Executive Officer Raj Surendran said TLC’s investment in Australian mining and downstream processing demonstrated the potential for mutually beneficial collaboration between Australia and China, one that also supports global goals for decarbonisation and diversification of critical minerals supply.
“Tianqi’s investment in the Kwinana plant and its ownership of the Talison Lithium Mine to date totals nearly $3 billion,” Mr Surendran said.
“Tianqi a decade ago made a commitment to the Australian Government that it would help to establish a domestic critical mineral processing and battery manufacturing capability and they have delivered on that promise.
“By leveraging the patient capital, skills and experience from TLC, that desire for an Australian industry has been realised, and we continue to call on that expertise as we meet the challenges of a technically complex manufacturing process.
“Tianqi’s commitment has been the catalyst for a new industry that is adding value to Australia’s minerals and providing opportunities for Australians to develop new skills in an industry that is helping the world to achieve its decarbonisation targets.”
TLC Chief Executive Officer Frank Ha said: “Australia is known for its abundant and high-quality lithium resources, robust legal system, and quality higher education, all of which provide crucial support for future industrial development.
“The Kwinana plant serves as a bridge for leveraging the complementary advantages of both countries, enabling mutual learning and win-win cooperation, illustrating that China and Australia are indeed natural partners.”
