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ABOUT US

Committed to building a more resilient world.

As one of the largest producers of lithium in the world, Western Australia is an essential part of Albemarle’s operations and long-term strategy.

Global demand for lithium underpins the world’s energy transition and Albemarle is helping to meet this demand.

Albemarle holds strategic investments in lithium mining in Western Australia. These include the Wodgina Lithium Mine joint venture in the Pilbara and shareholding in the Greenbushes Lithium Mine in the South West of Western Australia.

In 2023, Albemarle expanded its footprint in Western Australia when it acquired Western Lithium, which holds various exploration tenements in the Pilbara, Goldfields and South West region, including near the Greenbushes mine.

The Kemerton Lithium Plant, located within the Kemerton Strategic Industrial Area, was opened in 2022. The plant is currently in a transition phase to Care & Maintenance.

Australia map of current interests and operations.
Man in hardhat walking on construction site.

Mining Interests

Albemarle in Australia has invested in quality partnerships focused on securing and transforming lithium as an essential element. Learn more about our mining interests in Western Australia below.

Wodgina

Wodgina is one of the world’s largest known hard rock lithium deposits located approximately 110km south of Port Hedland in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, on the Traditional Owner land of the Kariyarra people.  

Owned by an unincorporated joint venture between Albemarle (50%) and ASX-listed Mineral Resources (50%) known as the MARBL Lithium Joint Venture (MARBL), the Wodgina lithium mine is operated by Mineral Resources. 

Wodgina comprises a large open pit mine and three processing trains with an annual capacity of 828,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate at a grade of 5.5% (SC 5.5). The product is trucked to a third-party port facility in Port Hedland and shipped overseas.

Albemarle is entitled to 50% of Wodgina offtake.

The Wodgina pegmatite field was discovered in 1902 and for many years it was mined for its tantalum and small amounts of tin, beryl and niobium. Drilling for lithium was first conducted in 1996. 

In 2019, Albemarle completed the acquisition of a 60% interest in Wodgina from Mineral Resources and formed MARBL. In 2023, a change in MARBL ownership (to 50% Albemarle, 50% Mineral Resources) was finalised. 

Credit: Mineral Resource - Wodgina plant

Credit: Mineral Resources

Greenbushes

Greenbushes is one of the world’s largest known hard rock lithium deposits located approximately 250km south of Perth in the South West region of Western Australia, on the Traditional Owner land of the [Noongar] people.

The mine is operated by Talison Lithium, which is owned 100% by Windfield Holdings Pty Ltd, which, in turn, is owned by Albemarle (49%) and Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia (51%). TLEA is a joint venture between Tianqi Lithium and ASX-listed IGO.

Albemarle is entitled to 50% of the Greenbushes offtake.

Greenbushes comprises a large open pit mine and processing plants – two Chemical Grade Processing Plants (CGP1, CGP2), a Tailings Retreatment Plant and a Technical Grade Plant. The plants have an annual capacity of 1.5 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate at a grade of 6% (SC6.0). A third Chemical Grade Plant (CGP3) is in commissioning and forecast to reach full production in late 2026. The product is trucked to Bunbury Port, approximately 90 km away.

The Greenbushes Mining Lease M1/02 is the oldest continuously-mined mining lease in WA, with alluvial mining for tin starting in 1888. Lithium production began in 1983. 

Albemarle obtained a 49% stake in Windfield when it bought Rockwood in 2015.

Credit: Talison Lithium - Australia Greenbushes lithium pit

Credit: Talison

Image of white Albemarle hard hat with lithium deposits.
Exploration

Our search for essential resources such as lithium is vital to supporting the world’s energy transition 

As a global leader in transforming lithium into critical ingredients for modern living, the discovery of new lithium sources will ensure the long-term supply of raw material.

We are assessing exploration opportunities in the South West, Goldfields and Pilbara regions. 

Throughout our exploration journey we are committed to communicating, engaging and collaborating with local communities and Traditional Owner groups.

Contact Information:
Email: [email protected] 
Community hotline (within Australia)TEL: 1300 925 400
For more information on granted tenements visit  http://www.demirs.wa.gov.au/

Learn More About Our Community Commitment

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