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Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lithium in Australia: the future of the ‘white gold' rush
The global lithium market is undergoing a period of flux. Following years of solid growth, prices have plummeted from their 2022 peak amid slowing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and an oversupply from global producers. Overall, the cost of lithium hydroxide fell by around three quarters between 2023 and 2024, and has continued to fall in 2025. Australia, the world's largest producer of lithium ore (accounting for 46% of the global total in 2024), felt this decline more sharply than most, forcing several mining operations to pause amid deteriorating market conditions. However, a rebound may be on the horizon. Analysts expect a resurgence in 2025, fuelled by renewed growth in EV adoption and clean energy storage. Although lithium prices remain difficult to predict, Australian miners are once more betting big on the metal. With an abundance of active lithium mines and reserves, Australia is well placed to be at the forefront of this lithium opportunity. However, as demand grows, questions have been raised as to how this burgeoning market can remain sustainable and how waste streams can be safely managed. Strengthening domestic recycling capabilities, developing greener processing methods and building closed-loop supply chains could be key to ensuring that growth in lithium production does not come at the expense of the environment. By 2040, the International Energy Agency (IEA) expects demand for lithium to be more than 40-times current levels if the world is to meet its Paris Agreement goals. As such, despite the current market volatility, optimism about the future of lithium remains strong. In this context, Australia has positioned itself to be a leading global supplier. In 2024, the federal government extended a A$230m ($149.81m) loan to Liontown Resources, which began production at its Kathleen Valley mine last July. The mine is expected to produce around 500,000 tonnes (t) of spodumene concentrate annually. Spodumene is Australia's main source of lithium. Meanwhile, Perth-based Pilbara Minerals plans to boost lithium ore production at Pilgangoora by 50% over the next year through its P1000 project. Crucially, there has been an uptick in interest to build out not only the extraction side of the lithium supply chain but also refineries. For instance, in Western Australia, Covalent Lithium is constructing its own lithium refinery, while Albemarle is operating another refinery in the region. The motivation behind the shift in focus stems from efforts to diversify critical minerals supply chains and move away from China's continued dominance. According to the IEA, China currently accounts for 70% of global lithium refining. 'At the moment in Australia, we are doing the mining and integration aspects of lithium-ion [Li-ion] batteries really well,' says Neeraj Sharma, chemistry professor at the University of New South Wales, and founder of the Australian battery society. 'Our grid is years ahead when it comes to battery storage. It is the middle part of the supply chain that we need to grow – the processing and cell manufacturing aspects.' Similarly, Serkan Saydam, chair of mining engineering at UNSW Sydney, believes the main gap in Australia's lithium supply chain lies in the processing and refining element. 'While Australia excels in lithium extraction, it currently lacks sufficient domestic processing and refining capacity, leading to reliance on overseas facilities,' says Saydam. Indeed, in 2022–23 Australia exported 98% of its spodumene concentrate for processing. Both Sharma and Saydam identify developing lithium processing capability as necessary not only for Australia's national security and economic growth but also for sustainable industry development. Saydam says developing low-emission processing infrastructure is essential 'not only for economic gain but also for minimising environmental impacts through tighter regulatory oversight'. Building out this part of the supply chain could also, Sharma believes, help establish a more robust battery recycling industry in Australia. 'If we know what is going into the batteries from a processing perspective, it will better equip us to know how to recycle them at the end of life,' he tells Mining Technology. 'We are seeing a lot of interest from the mining and start-up sectors to move towards this, but right now, without the right electrode processing or refinement in-country, it is harder to create the recycling processes needed in-country.' According to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, only around 10% of Li-ion battery waste is currently recycled in Australia. However, Sharma predicts that as large-scale battery demand grows, so too will the recycling rates. 'I think recycling rates for things like EV batteries will be close to 100%,' he says. 'Just by the nature of the fact that these batteries are large, people won't want to have them hanging around.' The difficulty, he says, lies in scalability and the fact that battery chemistry is still evolving. 'Currently there are not enough Li-ion batteries to recycle efficiently,' says Sharma, adding that battery chemistry is constantly evolving, meaning recyclers are collecting batteries that 'have a mix of so many different chemicals'. Some battery chemistries are emerging as dominant, however, and Sharma suggests that the next few years will see the emergence of a 'more homogenous' battery waste stream that will be easier to organise and recycle. '[Once] you have more batteries available to recycle, then you have the scale to be able to do so effectively,' he adds. 'Once you start to standardise the battery chemistry, you can then start to think about really minimising the steps of recycling.' Some progress is being made. There is also an historical precedent, with the lead-acid battery industry providing a model Australia can learn from. In January 2022, the Battery Stewardship Council introduced a levy scheme in partnership with manufacturers, lifting the recovery rate of small batteries from less than 8% to more than 16% within six months. The Australian Government also recently announced its National Battery Strategy, laying out ways to support its domestic battery industry as it grows. As Australia works to close the loop, embedding sustainability throughout the supply chain will be crucial. With environmental, social and governance standards becoming more stringent, shareholders and consumers alike will be paying close attention. Saydam warns that Australia's mines will have to integrate more sustainable practices into operations to not only meet future lithium demand but also become a 'key player' in the global transition to a low-carbon economy. 'Investment in innovation – such as direct lithium extraction and low-carbon refining technologies – is vital to reduce the environmental footprint and support a circular economy,' Saydam says. 'The industry must navigate global market volatility and advocate for clear national policies that support sustainable growth. 'Addressing these challenges holistically will be key to ensuring that Australia can scale its lithium production in a responsible and globally competitive manner,' he adds. Australia has already begun to develop local refining capacity and domestic battery recycling initiatives. Still, significant hurdles remain in meeting the fast-rising global demand. Optimising lithium extraction and processing will require a coordinated blend of legislative reform, technological advancement and strategic investment, according to Saydam. 'Legislative frameworks need to be strengthened to encourage sustainable and efficient practices,' he says. 'This includes creating clear, stable policies that incentivise domestic value-adding activities such as refining and battery material production, rather than solely exporting raw materials. 'Regulatory settings should also enforce strict environmental standards to ensure water use, waste management and emissions are responsibly managed, while fast-tracking approvals for sustainable technology deployment,' Saydam continues. Enhancing community and Indigenous engagement, investing in workforce upskilling, and encouraging collaboration between academia, industry and government were also highlighted as key to long-term success. As Saydam concludes: 'In essence, the long-term success of Australia's lithium industry depends on a holistic approach that integrates sustainability, innovation and strategic positioning in the global value chain.' "Lithium in Australia: the future of the 'white gold' rush" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
West Australian
15 hours ago
- Business
- West Australian
Geraldton-based FIFO airline Shine Aviation caught up ATSB fuel exhaustion investigation
Workers at Mid West copper and gold mines are being flown on a plane that is currently the subject of a probe by the national transport safety investigator. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is looking into why one of Shine Aviation's propeller-powered aircraft — registration code VH-PGO — almost had a disastrous landing at Meekatharra Airport on June 5. 'During the approach, the pilot received multiple fuel flow warnings on the number two engine followed by associated engine surging and aircraft yaw,' The ATSB stated. Yaw is the left-to-right movement of a plane's nose. 'The pilot conducted initial actions and secured the engine. The post-flight inspection revealed the engine had lost power due to fuel starvation,' according to the ATSB. 'Engineers replaced an O-ring on the right inboard fuel cap as a precaution.' Flight data shows the 10-seater plane was back in the air about five hours after the incident, but it is unclear if any passengers were on board. The plane has since made multiple trips from Shine's Geraldton base to the Golden Grove and Mt Magnet landing strips. The Golden Grove copper mine is run by 29Metals and Ramelius Resources operates the Mt Magnet gold mine. Ramelius declined to comment, while 29Metals and Shine did not respond to requests for comment. Shine, which is owned by Geraldton local John Gooch, will likely have to wait until the final quarter of this year to find out the results of the ATSB's investigation. Shine's close call is the first mechanical mishap in 2025 involving a small airline running charter flights to mines in WA's outback. This follows a spate of safety incidents last year on planes operated by Perth-based Skippers Aviation. On August 12, an aircraft was flying from IGO's Forrestania nickel operation in the western Goldfields when its brakes failed after touching down at Perth Airport. The runaway plane collided with a hangar resulting in 'minor damage'. Just three days later, a Skippers flight from Perth to Northern Star Resources' Bronzewing gold mine had to turn back not long after take-off and make an emergency landing as smoke engulfed the aircraft's interior. The ATSB found the 'serious' incident was caused by a mechanical failure compounded by a series of flight crew mistakes. Then on October 2, another Skippers plane travelling from Perth to Bronzewing was forced to descend rapidly after suddenly losing cabin pressure. Flight data showed the Dash 8 twin engine turboprop aircraft had to reduce its altitude at a rate of more than 5200 feet per minute, way beyond the typical maximum rate of 2500ft per minute when flying the same plane on the same route. Adding to the string of safety breaches, a Skippers crew member was convicted for vaping during a flight on the Perth to Forrestania route during the year. Skippers trimmed its fleet down from 27 in 2022 to 20 by the latter half of 2024, but a spokesman denied its cost-cutting crusade was jeopardising safety. The airline is owned by the Quinlivan family and led by Stan Quinlivan. Mr Quinlivan's investment portfolio includes the Ocean Beach Hotel and a troop of race horses.
The National
16 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Community pub developed from old school in Perth and Kinross opens
The CornerStone Rannoch will officially open on Sunday, June 22. Formerly known as The Hub, the community-owned bar and restaurant will welcome the Kinloch Rannoch community in for a sneak peak on Saturday afternoon before officially opening to the wider public from 10am on Sunday. Back in September 2022, Rannoch Community Trust was granted planning permission to develop an £830,000 community hub in a former outdoors centre and school. READ MORE: SNP MSP Fergus Ewing to stand as independent at next Scottish Parliament election The consent was branded a 'major milestone' as the trust then sought to secure the remainder of the funding needed to complete the project at the Victorian building on Allt Mor Place. Originally built as the village school in 1840, it closed when a new school was opened in Kinloch Rannoch in 1965. In the 1980s it was transformed into a residential outdoors centre until Perth and Kinross Council deemed it 'surplus to requirement' and closed it in 2019. In July 2020, Perth and Kinross councillors voted to sell the former outdoors centre for £75,000 to Rannoch Community Trust to transform it into a multi-purpose facility for the community. A year later – in July 2021 – ownership of the building and grounds was legally transferred from Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) to Rannoch Community Trust. (Image: The CornerStone) Planning permission for the trust to develop it into a community-owned bar/restaurant was granted in September 2022, under delegated powers. The CornerStone features a social enterprise café/bar, manager's accommodation, office space, a meeting room, an outdoor seating area, new footbridge and a playpark. It will be run by a mixture of both paid and volunteer staff. The building was designed by Perth-based Studio East Architects to be 'as energy efficient as possible'. A spokesperson for The CornerStone said: 'Initially, we will be serving drinks only, until we hook a great chef onboard, so until then you can enjoy local beers on tap and so much more, we can't wait to host you in the heart of our village.' (Image: The CornerStone) There is also a meeting room with WiFi. The spokesperson added: 'Our flexible workspaces catering to groups or individuals is also now available to book: Work — The Cornerstone 'Our new website offers lots of information you might be interested in, so please feel free to take a look around there, or pop in to say hello, we'll be proud to give you a warm welcome.' Highland Perthshire ward councillor John Duff is delighted and said it looks 'fabulous'. The Conservative councillor said: 'I am delighted that the aspirations of the community have been achieved and that it will soon have this excellent venue for locals and visitors to come together, relax and socialise. 'The conversion of the former outdoor centre looks fabulous and I applaud the continued efforts of the community to deliver this exceptional facility providing food, drink, meeting and work space. I look forward to visiting the CornerStone myself in the near future.' Rannoch Community Trust was awarded £134,660 from the Scottish Government's Scottish Land Fund Award to cover the purchase of the building, legal expenses and essential repairs. It also received £250,000 from the UK Government's Community Ownership Fund and £308,000 from the Scottish Government's Place Based Investment Programme, which is aimed at supporting community-led regeneration.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Lions to play eight different opponents on tour as two special teams formed
Lions to play eight different opponents on tour as two special teams formed From Argentina in Dublin to a string of Super Rugby heavyweights, here is who Andy Farrell's side will take on Jac Morgan and the Lions face a number of different teams in Australia (Image: 2025 Getty Images ) It is not just Australia who lie in wait this summer – the Lions will take on seven other teams as part of the tour. All the fixtures are fully confirmed, with games in Australia kicking off at 11am UK time. After Friday's match against Argentina in Dublin, the tour will begin as a host of Super Rugby sides and special invitational teams await the challenge of facing the iconic team from Britain and Ireland. Here's a look at what to expect… Argentina: Friday, 20 June (8pm KO) Visitors to Dublin for the Lions' first-ever match in Ireland this Friday, Argentina have flown under the radar of late despite having an impressive 2024/25 season. They beat South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia in the Rugby Championship, eventually finishing third, only two points behind The All Blacks. Article continues below They have stars across their 23, with recognisable names like Julian Montoya, Santiago Carreras and Juan Martín González all plying their trade in the Premiership. Los Pumas will present a tough test to start the 2025 Tour. Western Force: Saturday, 28 June (11am KO) The Lions' first opponents on tour, Perth-based Western Force, are Australia's weakest Super Rugby side. With four wins from a possible 14, they comfortably missed the Super Rugby Finals despite showing flashes of the team they could be in years to come. The Force's squad features Wallabies Ben Donaldson and Carlo Tizzano, amongst others, and could cause trouble for the Lions on their day. Openside flanker Tizzano has been in particularly fine form for club and country, leading Super Rugby in tackles in 2024 and impressing in Green and Gold last autumn. Queensland Reds, Wednesday, 2 July (11am KO) The Queensland Reds are perennially there or thereabouts in Super Rugby. Led by the likes of Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott and Harry Wilson, they play a flash brand of rugby that can be brilliant to watch at times. Jac Morgan of Wales and Fraser McReight of Australia at full time. Head coach Les Kiss's main issue is finding consistency, as they have built a tendency to let half-time leads slip and have suffered some damaging defeats late in games. New South Wales Waratahs, Saturday, 5 July (11am KO) The Waratahs have had an up-and-down season in Super Rugby but may boast the most star power of any of the Australian sides, with Joseph Sua'ali'I shining the brightest. The cross-code star phenom is a truly dynamic athlete who can often beat teams on his own. With talent elsewhere in the 23, including Taniela Tupou, Jake Gordon, and Angus Bell, the Tahs could cause the tourists problems if they find the same form that helped them beat the table-topping Chiefs in April. ACT Brumbies, Wednesday, 9 July (11am KO) With nine wins from 13, the Brumbies were the shining light of Australian rugby during the regular season and made the Finals with ease, including a statement win over the Auckland Blues at Eden Park. Their squad is packed with Wallabies, including flying full-back Tom Wright, but they were well beaten 37-17 by Waikato Chiefs in the semi-finals. The cross-code star, formerly of the Manly Sea Eagles, has scored 10 tries in 37 appearances for the Wallabies, including a hat-trick against Wales in the autumn. When he is in top form, the Brumbies usually are too. Invitational Australia & New Zealand, Saturday, 12 July (11am KO) The Australia & New Zealand invitational side is one of two wild cards on the tour. This team will likely be made up mainly of players currently playing in Japan. Such names would include the likes of Aaron Smtih, Richie Mo'unga and Samu Kerevi, so the 23 aren't to be written off. They will be led by Reds head coach Les Kiss, who will then become Wallabies head coach after the Lions tour. First Nations & Pasifika XV, Tuesday, 22 July (11am KO) Like the Aus & NZ XV, there is not yet too much indication of who will be playing for the First Nations & Pasifika. It is a combination of players from First Nation and Polynesian heritage, which opens up some intriguing options. Ardie Savea, Kurtley Beale, and Will Genia are all available for selection, with Genia sending out a 'come and get me' plea to both of the invitational sides' head coaches. The Wallabies, Saturday, 19 July; Saturday 26 July; Saturday, August 2 (all 11am KO) Article continues below As 2023 turned into 2024, before the arrival of Joe Schmidt, the Wallabies seemed to be in disarray. With the Lions tour looming, many were predicting a complete tour whitewash. Just over a year later, however, Schmidt has righted the ship, and Australia are ready to tear into the tourists. Although they finished bottom of the Rugby Championship, their performance in the autumn has raised hopes as they beat both England and Wales away from home.
Business Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
KKR buys Australian off-grid power specialist Zenith Energy
[SYDNEY] KKR has agreed to buy Australia's Zenith Energy, a provider of off-grid power systems, from a group including Pacific Equity Partners Pty, Opseu Pension Trust and Foresight Group Holdings. The investment firm did not provide a value for the deal, but said in a statement that it followed Zenith's completion of a A$1.9 billion (S$1.6 billion) refinancing that provided the company with more than A$1 billion of capital to support the development of new projects. KKR will make the investment from its Asia-Pacific Infrastructure Investors II Fund. KKR paid A$1.7 billion at 12 times contracted earnings, according to two people close to the deal. KKR and Zenith declined to comment on the price. Zenith has more than 710 megawatts of contracted capacity with resource-sector clients and urban microgrids, according to Tuesday's statement. The Perth-based company is seeking to help Australia's mining sector speed up efforts to reduce its emissions, chief executive officer Hamish Moffat said. 'Zenith has established itself as one of the clear leaders in deploying and managing hybrid power solutions in Australia, a priority market for KKR in Asia Pacific,' said Andrew Jennings, KKR's managing director and head of Australia & New Zealand Infrastructure. 'Zenith's position at the forefront of the energy transition, coupled with its long-term relationships with strategic, high-quality counterparties, make it an ideal investment for our Asia-Pacific infrastructure platform.' The transaction is expected to close late this year. BLOOMBERG
