- WA's critical minerals and batteries strategy now open to public comment
- Renewed strategy to build on successes already achieved by lucrative industry
- Growth predictions for Australia's critical minerals and battery sector have more than doubled in the past two years.
The Western Australian Government is refocusing the State's activities in the rapidly evolving critical minerals and batteries sector with the release of a major consultation document.
WA has seen rapid growth of the value-added battery and critical minerals industries since the introduction of the Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy in 2019.
Since then, nickel sulfate and lithium hydroxide refineries (key chemicals in lithium-ion batteries) have been established, as well as two rare earth processing plants.
A consultation document seeking feedback to inform the updated strategy is now available. Stakeholder input will be vital to identifying priority actions to support industry development.
The strategy aims to further grow WA's critical minerals and battery industries, with an emphasis on increasing value added and domestic manufacturing.
Since the last strategy update in 2020, there have been changes to the international investment environment, including significant global policy changes in the critical minerals and renewable energy industries.
For more information visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/battery-and-critical-minerals-strategy-refresh
Comments attributed to Energy Minister Bill Johnston:
โWestern Australia is a globally important critical minerals and battery processing hub and it is important that we do everything we can to further capitalize on this incredible opportunity.
"A diversified battery industry is projected to contribute nearly $17 billion in gross value added and more than 61,000 jobs to the national economy by 2030. This is more than double the value first estimated in 2021.
โListening to the industry is key to ensuring we have the right strategy to continue growing in the future.โ
