Civmec secures contract to build Albemarle's $1bn WA Kemerton lithium plant

Following the commencement of earthworks at Albemarle Lithium Pty Ltd’s $1 billion Kemerton lithium project in Western Australia, Civmec has now been awarded the contract to build the lithium hydroxide plant.

The Albemarle Kemerton project  will include three production trains that can each produce up to 20,000 tonnes per annum of lithium hydroxide. The project will also have a potential to be expanded to five trains that will bring site production to 100,000 tonnes a year by 2025. The plant is set to process spodumene ore concentrates from the nearby Talison Greenbushes mine.

Under their contract, Civmec will deliver structural, mechanical and piping works for the hydromet and final product as well as reagents and utilities for the three trains. Civmec’s Henderson facility is going to be used to fabricate and pre-assemble some of the components for the construction of the plant.

“We are delighted to have been selected by Albemarle as a significant construction partner for this exciting project. This two-year project is ideally suited to our operations, fabricating, modularising and site erecting steel work for this key Western Australian development,” Civmec’s Chief Executive Officer Patrick Tallon said.

The company will begin fabrication works immediately, with construction activities on site to begin by mid-2019. The project is due to be completed by March 2021.

Approximately 300 workers are expected to be involved in the delivery of the project during the peak construction period, which brings a boost in opportunities for skilled individuals in the region.

The Albemarle Kemerton Plant is going to be built on an 89-hectare site located approximately 160 kilometres south of Perth - near the port town of Bunbury - in the Kemerton Strategic Industrial Area.

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Source: Civmec; Australian Mining; Albemarle