The Western Australian Government has kicked off consultations for the renewal of its Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy, which will refocus the state’s initiatives to bolster the expanding local sector.
Feedback will inform the refreshed strategy and help identify priority actions to support industry development.
The state has seen rapid growth in value-adding battery and critical minerals industries since the introduction of the Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy in 2019, the WA government said in a media release.
Nickel sulphate and lithium hydroxide refineries have been established in the state since then, along with two downstream rare earth processing plants.
The strategy seeks to further boost WA’s battery and critical minerals industries, with an emphasis on increasing domestic value-adding and manufacturing.
“Western Australia is a globally significant battery and critical minerals processing hub and it is important we do all we can to further capitalise on this incredible opportunity,” said Minister of Energy Bill Johnston.
“A diversified battery industry is forecast to contribute nearly $17 billion in gross value added and over 61,000 jobs to the national economy by 2030. This is more than twice the value first estimated in 2021.”
Since the strategy’s last update in 2020, there have been changes in the international investment environment, including significant global policy shifts in the critical minerals and renewables industries.
“Hearing from the industry is critical to ensuring we have the right strategy in place to continue to grow into the future,” Minister Johnston said.
For more information about the Battery and Critical minerals: Strategy Refresh, visit wa.gov.au.
