Mt Holland lithium project : Covalent Lithium gets environmental approval for refinery

Covalent Lithium has secured environmental approval from the Western Australian government for the AUD1.8 billion ($1.33 billion) Mt Holland lithium project’s refinery.

The company, which is a 50:50 joint venture between Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers and Chilean lithium producer Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM), has been issued the Ministerial Statement under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA). The ministerial statement outlines the conditions applicable to the construction and operation of the lithium hydroxide refinery in Kwinana, which is a part of the Mt Holland lithium project.

Covalent Lithium has all the critical approvals needed for the lithium project in place. The company has started construction and project development.

Covalent Lithium gets environmental approval for Mt Holland lithium project refinery in Western Australia. Photo courtesy of Anita starzycka from Pixabay.

In February 2021, Wesfarmers and SQM had taken a final investment decision (FID) on the Mt Holland project. The open-pit mining project is expected to produce its first lithium hydroxide in the second half of 2024.

Wesfarmers had entered into the Mt Holland lithium project through its 2019 acquisition of Kidman Resources for nearly AUD 776 million. (Read more about Wesfarmers acquisition of Kidman Resources)