The geology, mineralogy and geometallurgy of EV Materials Deposits in WA report was today published, providing a new framework applicable to mining and processing optimisation.
The report was published by the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) and the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA).
According to the Western Australian (WA) Government, it is crucial to ensure a thorough understanding of the orebodies in the State to improve exploration targeting, mine planning, mineral processing, and chemical refining techniques.
“The McGowan Government is committed to further developing a chemical industry in Western Australia. While I was in South Korea and Japan recently, keen interest was shown in understanding the lithium resources here in Western Australia,” Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston said.
Minister Johnston stated that companies could use this knowledge to comprehend the orebodies and determine preferred downstream processing alternatives given the interest in Western Australian critical minerals.
A systematic comparative investigation of significant lithium orebodies in WA was conducted, led by Curtin University‘s John de Laeter Centre. The State Government added that the report would be a valuable resource for industry professionals seeking to understand parameters influencing the recovery of various ore types in the pegmatite sites analysed.
Building on this initial project, Curtin University and Murdoch University are already working on additional projects as part of the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre. These projects include developing provenance testing methods to create a reliable supply chain for battery minerals and materials and looking into ways to improve lithium minerals’ beneficiation and chemical processing.
“Despite over a century of resource development experience in Western Australia, the onshore processing of hard rock lithium deposits is a relatively new industry,” Curtin University John de Laeter Centre Director and report author Professor Brent McInnes said.
Professor McInnes added, “This project has shed light on WA lithium deposits and provides a new geometallurgical framework applicable to mining and processing optimisation.”
