Drive to Bypass China in Lithium Refining Grows in Australia
- Pilbara pilot plant to produce semi-processed battery chemical
- Part of Canberra’s efforts to challenge China on EV metals
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Pilbara Minerals Ltd., one of Australia’s biggest lithium producers, plans to build a demonstration plant in Western Australia capable of refining the material that’s key to the booming global battery metals market.
The pilot plant would process Pilbara Minerals’ hard-rock ore into lithium salt near the company’s Pilgangoora Project in Western Australia, in a joint venture with Australia’s Calix Ltd. that uses the latter’s patented “calcination” technology.