First steel shipments arrive for Albemarle’s Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing plant expansion project

The multi-billion-dollar expansion of a South West processing plant has taken a big step forward, the first shipment of steel to be used in the facility’s construction arriving from China this week.

The first shipment of more than 250 steel modules from China has arrived at Albemarle’s Kemerton lithium processing facility as part of the company’s $2.3 billion expansion.

The modules will be used in the construction of two additional processing trains, allowing the plant to produce a combined 100,000 metric tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually — enough for more than two million electric vehicle batteries.

Delivery of the shipments will occur over several weeks by truck from Bunbury Port.

Albemarle country manager Beverley East said the first shipment was an important milestone.

“The successful delivery of the steel modules signals the beginning of Kemerton expansion, boosting jobs and the economy in the South West,” she said.

Capital projects vice president Joshua Rowan said the transportation of the structures was a logistical challenge on a mammoth scale.

“The arrival of first steel, equipment and materials for the project was completed ahead of schedule, which is critically important to meet our ambitious construction timeline,” he said.

“Strategic coordination and planning began months in advance of this first shipment.

“Just getting it safely transported on large-load trucks from the Port of Bunbury to the Kemerton plant required the sinking of some overhead power lines, and close work with Western Power to make it happen.”

A team of more than 300 people working in Kemerton, Bunbury and Perth are involved with planning for the project.

More than 1000 workers are expected to be play a part with the expansion during the construction stage.