Wesfarmers and its Chilean joint venture partner SQM have approved a $1.4 billion expansion of the Mt Holland lithium project near Southern Cross in Western Australia. The decision follows a final investment decision by the companies and is designed to increase output from the Mt Holland mine and concentrate operations.
All reporting describes the expansion as aimed at doubling production of lithium concentrate, with the planned increase from current levels to 760,000 tonnes by 2030. One outlet characterises the additional output as an increase in lithium concentrate, while another describes it as increased spodumene production, referring to the same expansion plan for the Mt Holland operation.
The approvals indicate that the project is progressing to the next stage of development, with the companies committing to the scale of capital expenditure required to lift production capacity by the target date. The announcements are consistent across outlets on the approval, the investment amount, the project location, and the expected production outcome by 2030.
