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Page 1 of 10 (226 total)
Greenbushes Lithium Operation

Western Australia, Australia · Open Pit

Operating
Mineral SandsLithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Mineral Sands-1.35 Mt
2025Lithium1.9 %6.16 Mt
Opened
1983-01-01
End year
2045
Workforce
approximately 1,700 people
Production
Production overview - 2025: mineral sands 1.35 Mt, lithium 6.16 Mt.
Processing
The operation utilises a conventional drill and blast open-pit mining method. The processing of lithium ore (spodumene) involves four main plants: a technical grade plant, two chemical grade plants (CGP1 and CGP2), and a tailings retreatment plant. These plants use gravity, heavy media, flotation, and magnetic processes to upgrade the lithium mineral into a range of concentrates. A third chemical grade plant (CGP3) processed its first ore in December 2025. CGP3 is expected to reach its nameplate capacity in 2026. With the addition of CGP3, the total processing capacity of the site is approximately 2.1 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate per annum.
Equipment
The mining method is described as truck and shovel/loader. The operation is supported by standby power generation, including two 1250kVA generators and a 20,000L fuel tank.
Expansion
Chemical Grade Plant 3 (CGP3): Construction of CGP3 was completed with the first ore processed in December 2025. This new plant is expected to reach its nameplate capacity in 2026 and will increase the site's total production capacity. Mine Expansion: Talison Lithium is proposing to expand the mine to the east and south to accommodate an additional waste rock landform, expand the existing Floyds waste rock landform, and increase water storage capacity at the Saltwater Gully Dam. This expansion is currently undergoing state and federal environmental assessment processes. Underground Potential: A new underground Mineral Resource Estimate has been defined, indicating the potential for future underground mining operations to access pegmatites outside the open-pit design.
Companies & ownership
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
  • Albemarle Corporation
    NYSE:ALB
  • Tianqi Lithium Corporation
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Wodgina Lithium Project

Western Australia, Australia · Open Pit

Operating
Lithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Lithium6 %76000 t
2017Lithium-113993 t
End year
2048
Mine life
30 years
Workforce
200 new full-time jobs (expected in 2022), accommodation for up to 900 people
Overview
operational, open-pit lithium mine located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Australia, approximately 120 kilometres south of Port Hedland.
Production
Production overview - 2025: lithium 76000 t; 2017: lithium 113993 t.
Processing
crushing plant, three processing trains, each equipped with a ball mill, deslime cyclones, magnetic separation, and flotation circuits to produce spodumene concentrate. The plant is designed to produce concentrate at a grade of 5.5% to 6% Li2O.
Equipment
crushing plant, ball mill, deslime cyclones, magnetic separation, flotation circuits, 57-seat coaches
Expansion
future underground mining opportunities being assessed
Power sources
Natural Gas
Companies & ownership
  • Mineral Resources
    ASX:MIN
  • Albemarle Corporation
    NYSE:ALB
  • Global Advanced Metals
  • Pilbara Minerals Limited
    ASX:PLS
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Mt Francisco Project

Western Australia, Australia · Open Pit

Under Development
LithiumTantalumTin
Overview
The Mt Francisco Project is an exploration-stage project located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, approximately 50 kilometres south-west of Pilbara Minerals' flagship Pilgangoora Lithium-Tantalum Project. It is considered a high-quality lithium-tantalum exploration asset. The project is a joint venture between Pilbara Minerals (70%) and Atlas Iron Limited (30%).
Companies & ownership
  • Atlas Iron Limited
    ASX:AGO
  • Pilbara Minerals Limited
    ASX:PLS
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Colina Project

Minas Gerais, Brazil · Open Pit

Under Development
Lithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Lithium1.25 %-
Mine life
11 years
Overview
The Colina Project, formerly known as the Salinas Project, is a hard rock lithium asset located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is currently in the development and study phase, with Pilbara Minerals undertaking exploration and development studies to inform a final investment decision.
Production
A Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) projected an average annual production of 405,000 tonnes of SC5.5 and 123,000 tonnes of SC3 over the life of the mine.
Processing
Two-stage operation with a simple Dense Media Separation (DMS) circuit and spirals, designed to produce a high-quality 5.5% Li2O spodumene concentrate (SC5.5) and a 3% Li2O spodumene tailings concentrate product (SC3).
Companies & ownership
  • Pilbara Minerals Limited
    ASX:PLS
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Ngungaju Plant

Western Australia, Australia · Processing Facility

Operating
LithiumTantalum
Overview
The Ngungaju Plant is a key processing facility at Pilbara Minerals' Pilgangoora Operation in Western Australia, slated to resume production in early July 2026. It will move from care and maintenance to operating due to improved lithium market conditions, adding approximately 200,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate production per annum. It is a core component of the Pilgangoora Operation, the world's largest independent hard-rock lithium operation, producing spodumene and tantalite concentrates.
Expansion
undergone a crusher upgrade to support the resumption of operations
Companies & ownership
  • Pilbara Minerals Limited
    ASX:PLS
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Pilgan Plant

Western Australia, Australia · Processing Facility

Operating
Lithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Lithium-754600 t
2024Lithium-226200 t
Opened
2018-01-01
End year
2041
Mine life
23 years
Workforce
For the P1000 expansion project, there were 560 workers on site during peak construction which created approximately 50 permanent operational roles. In 2025, Pilbara Minerals had 950 employees in total.
Production
Production overview - 2025: lithium 754600 t; 2024: lithium 226200 t.
Processing
The Pilgan Plant is one of two processing plants at the Pilgangoora Operation and produces spodumene and tantalite concentrates. The plant has undergone significant upgrades, including the P680 and P1000 expansion projects, to increase production capacity. The P1000 expansion included a major upgrade to the plant's concentrator. As of December 2024, the nearby Ngungaju Plant was placed on care and maintenance, with the Pilgan Plant being the single operating processing plant. A feasibility study for a further expansion, the P2000 Project, is underway with outcomes expected in the December Quarter of 2025. This expansion would require the construction of a new whole-of-ore flotation plant.
Equipment
The overall Pilgangoora Operation uses conventional open-pit mining with truck and hydraulic excavators, along with drill and blast methods. The Pilgan Plant is supported by a crushing and ore sorting facility, described as the world's largest lithium ore sorter.
Expansion
P680 and P1000 expansion projects, P2000 Project
Companies & ownership
  • Pilbara Minerals Limited
    ASX:PLS
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Pilgangoora Operation

Western Australia, Australia · Open Pit

Operating
LithiumTantalum
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Lithium-221300 t
2025Tantalum-60908 lbs
2024Lithium-226200 t
2023Lithium-620147 t
Opened
2018-11-16
Mine life
34 years
Workforce
768 (as of the end of FY23 for Pilbara Minerals employees); approximately 300 additional jobs were created by the P680 expansion. The operational workforce was approximately 200 people in November 2018.
Production
Production overview - 2025: lithium 221300 t, tantalum 60908 lbs; 2024: lithium 226200 t.
Processing
The Pilgangoora Operation has two processing plants: the Pilgan Plant and the Ngungaju Plant. The Pilgan Plant produces both spodumene and tantalite concentrates, while the Ngungaju Plant produces spodumene concentrate. As of December 2024, the Ngungaju Plant was placed into care and maintenance to optimise costs, with the operation transitioning to a single processing plant model (P850). The P680 Expansion Project was completed in August 2024, which included a new crushing and ore sorting facility. The P1000 Expansion Project, which further upgrades the Pilgan Plant, achieved first ore on 31 January 2025 and is expected to ramp up to full capacity in the September Quarter 2025.
Expansion
The P680 Expansion Project, completed in August 2024, increased the Pilgangoora Operation's production capacity. The P1000 Expansion Project was completed in the March Quarter 2025, further increasing production capacity. A pre-feasibility study for the P2000 project has been released, which considers expanding production to more than 2 million tonnes per annum. The company is also constructing a mid-stream demonstration plant at the Pilgangoora Operation.
Companies & ownership
  • Pilbara Minerals Limited
    ASX:PLS
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Cosmos Project

Western Australia, Australia · Underground

Care And Maintenance
NickelLithium
Workforce
The transition to care and maintenance resulted in redundancies. The mining contractor, Perenti, which employed 179 people at the site through its subsidiary Barminco, planned to redeploy its workforce to other projects.
Overview
The Cosmos Project, owned by IGO Limited, is located 30km north of Leinster in Western Australia. The project was transitioned into care and maintenance in June 2024. This decision was made following a review that highlighted a reduced expected mine life, delays in reaching full production capacity, and increased operating and capital costs, all exacerbated by a significant deterioration in commodity prices. IGO intends to maintain the project with the option to restart should market conditions improve.
Processing
Prior to entering care and maintenance, key activities included the wet commissioning of the processing plant and the processing of existing ore on the run-of-mine pad. A landmark study completed in May 2024 confirmed the technical and economic feasibility of converting the underground fleet from diesel to battery electric vehicles, which would be competitive with the planned diesel fleet.
Equipment
The mining contractor had approximately $25 million of plant and equipment on site. A study assessed the feasibility of replacing the planned diesel fleet, which included two 63-tonne diesel trucks and three diesel loaders, with battery electric equivalents.
Expansion
During the care and maintenance period, IGO is assessing select exploration programs to potentially increase the mineral resource, with a particular focus on the AM5 and AM6 orebodies. The company is also continuing exploration for lithium at the Cosmos Project. As part of a broader portfolio rationalisation, IGO is exploring options for the Cosmos site and its infrastructure, noting the region's prospectivity for gold and other minerals and the potential for the existing plant and equipment to be repurposed.
Companies & ownership
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
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Seadog

Northern Territory, Australia · Open Pit

Under Development
Lithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2024Lithium1.18 %1.41 Mt
Overview
Seadog is a prospect that forms part of Core Lithium's 100% owned Finniss Lithium Project, located on the Cox Peninsula in the Northern Territory, Australia, approximately 88 kilometres by road from the Port of Darwin. It is considered a new discovery, alongside the Blackbeard prospect, and is undergoing follow-up RC drilling to extend high-quality results from its discovery in 2022.
Production
Production overview - 2024: lithium 1.41 Mt.
Expansion
Part of broader exploration focus at the Finniss project, which is testing large-scale pegmatite targets.
Companies & ownership
  • Core Lithium
    ASX:CXO · OTC:CXOXF
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Booths

Northern Territory, Australia · Open Pit

Feasibility
Lithium
Overview
The Booths deposit is a component of Core Lithium's 100% owned Finniss Lithium Project, located on the Cox Peninsula in the Northern Territory, Australia, approximately 88 kilometres by road from Darwin Port. It is situated within the Bynoe Pegmatite Field. The operating status of the broader Finniss Lithium Operation, which includes the Booths deposit, was transitioned to temporary care and maintenance in mid-2024. As of 11 April 2024, the Mineral Resource Estimate for the Booths deposit increased to 3.24 million tonnes at a grade of 1.02% Li2O.
Companies & ownership
  • Core Lithium
    ASX:CXO · OTC:CXOXF
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Sandras

Northern Territory, Australia · Open Pit

Under Development
Lithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2024Lithium0.89 %1.73 Mt
2018Lithium1 %1.3 Mt
Workforce
No specific workforce assigned to the Sandras deposit as it is not in production.
Overview
The Sandras prospect is a lithium deposit held by Core Lithium Ltd. It is located on the Cox Peninsula, approximately 45 kilometres south of Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. It forms part of Core Lithium's broader Finniss Lithium Project, which is centred on the Bynoe Pegmatite Field. Sandras is one of the primary pegmatites identified in the southern area of the field.
Production
Production overview - 2024: lithium 1.73 Mt; 2018: lithium 1.3 Mt.
Processing
The broader Finniss Lithium Project includes a 1 million tonne per annum Dense Media Separation (DMS) processing plant located at the Grants deposit, which would be the likely processing route for any future ore from Sandras.
Equipment
No specific processing plant, equipment, or workforce assigned to the Sandras deposit as it is not in production. The broader Finniss Lithium Project includes a 1 million tonne per annum Dense Media Separation (DMS) processing plant located at the Grants deposit.
Companies & ownership
  • Core Lithium
    ASX:CXO · OTC:CXOXF
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Grants Lithium Project

Northern Territory, Australia · Open Pit

Care And Maintenance
Lithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Lithium1.42 %1.53 Mt
Mine life
3 years
Workforce
peak of 150-180 jobs during operations
Overview
The Grants Lithium Project, operated by Core Lithium Ltd., is located in the Northern Territory, Australia, within the Bynoe Pegmatite Field. The mine, currently in care and maintenance, is an open-pit operation extracting lithium from spodumene-bearing pegmatite. Mining commenced in late 2022 but was paused in early 2024. A restart of operations, including the Grants open pit, was approved in March 2026. Processing involves Dense Media Separation (DMS) to produce lithium concentrate.
Production
Production overview - 2025: lithium 1.53 Mt.
Processing
Dense Media Separation (DMS) to produce a lithium concentrate, crushing and screening
Equipment
crushing plant, crushing and screening infrastructure
Expansion
plans to transition to an underground mine at a later stage; restart plan proposes recommencing mining at Grants to extract remaining reserves over a 12-18 month period
Companies & ownership
  • Core Lithium
    ASX:CXO · OTC:CXOXF
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Greenbushes Lithium Mine

Western Australia, Australia · Open Pit

Operating
LithiumTantalum
Companies & ownership
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
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Greenbushes Lithium Operation

Western Australia, Australia · Open Pit

Operating
Lithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Lithium1.9 %1350000 t
2024Lithium1.4 %1480000 t
2023Lithium-1491000 t
2022Lithium-361227 t
Opened
1983-01-01
Mine life
20 years
Capex (est.)
USD 487.50M
Workforce
approximately 1,700
Production
Production overview - 2025: lithium 1350000 t; 2024: lithium 1480000 t.
Processing
The Greenbushes operation has four processing plants: Chemical Grade Plant 1 (CGP1), Chemical Grade Plant 2 (CGP2), a Tailings Retreatment Plant, and a Technical Grade Plant. A third Chemical Grade Plant (CGP3) commenced commissioning and processed its first ore on 18 December 2025. CGP3 has a design capacity of approximately 500,000 tonnes per annum of spodumene concentrate. The addition of CGP3 increases the total production capacity of the site to approximately 2.1 million tonnes per annum of spodumene concentrate. Total ore processed is expected to increase to approximately 7 million tonnes per annum by 2028.
Expansion
The mine is undergoing a significant expansion to increase the production of spodumene ore and lithium mineral concentrate. This includes the construction of a third Chemical Grade Plant (CGP3), which is expected to have its first ore by the end of CY2025. There are also proposals for an additional waste rock landform, expansion of the existing Floyds waste rock landform, and expanded water storage capacity. The expansion proposal would increase the development envelope by 28 per cent to 2,826 hectares. There is also consideration for a potential fourth Chemical Grade Plant (CGP4).
Companies & ownership
  • Albemarle Corporation
    NYSE:ALB
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
  • Tianqi Lithium Corporation
  • Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia
  • Windfield Holdings Pty Ltd
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Greenbushes Lithium Mine

Western Australia, Australia · Open Pit

Operating
Lithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Lithium-1350000 t
2024Lithium-1420000 t
Opened
1983-01-01
Workforce
approximately 1,700 people as of April 2025.
Overview
The Greenbushes Lithium Mine is an operating open pit mine in Western Australia, producing lithium and tantalum. Operated by Talison Lithium Australia Pty Ltd, IGO Limited holds an effective indirect interest of 24.99%. The mine employs approximately 1,700 people. Processing utilizes gravity, heavy media, flotation, and magnetic processes across four plants, including the recently commissioned CGP3, which boosted total spodumene concentrate capacity to around 2.1 million tonnes per annum. An expansion to the east and south is proposed, with potential for an additional Chemical Grade Plant 4 (CGP4).
Production
Production overview - 2025: lithium 1350000 t; 2024: lithium 1420000 t.
Processing
The operation has four processing plants: three that produce chemical-grade lithium concentrates (CGP1, CGP2, and a Tailings Retreatment Plant) and one that produces technical-grade lithium concentrates. The ore is upgraded using gravity, heavy media, flotation, and magnetic processes. The third Chemical Grade Plant (CGP3) processed its first ore on 18 December 2025. CGP3 has a capacity of approximately 500,000 tonnes per annum of spodumene concentrate, which will increase the total site capacity to around 2.1 million tonnes per annum.
Equipment
Mining is a traditional drill and blast method. A contractor for crushing operations uses a D10 dozer, 980 loader, 36-tonne excavator, jaw crusher, impact crusher, and screener. Macmahon has a 7-year contract for load and haul services and crusher feed, which commenced on 1 July 2023.
Expansion
Talison Lithium is proposing an expansion of the mine to the east and south to increase the production of spodumene ore and lithium mineral concentrate. This involves the construction of new waste rock landforms, expansion of the Saltwater Gully Dam, and other supporting infrastructure. The proposal would increase the development envelope from 2,207 hectares to 2,826 hectares. The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved amendments to the development envelope, increasing it to 2,791 hectares. A public review period for the expansion is expected to begin in February 2026, with a final EPA assessment report anticipated in December 2026. There are also development options for an additional Chemical Grade Plant 4 (CGP4).
Companies & ownership
  • Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia
  • Albemarle Corporation
    NYSE:ALB
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
  • Tianqi Lithium Corporation
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Cosmos Project

Western Australia, Australia · Underground

Care And Maintenance
NickelLithiumGold
Overview
The Cosmos Project, acquired by IGO Limited in 2022, transitioned to care and maintenance in June 2024 due to reduced mine life, increased costs, and declining nickel prices. IGO plans to preserve the option for future restart and is exploring rationalisation options, including potential for gold and other minerals. A lithium drilling program was completed in Q3 2025.
Processing
wet commissioning of the processing plant and processing existing ore on the run-of-mine pad
Companies & ownership
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
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Kwinana Lithium Hydroxide Refinery

Western Australia, Australia · Processing Facility

Operating
Lithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Lithium-4895 t
2024Lithium-2775 t
Opened
2022-11-30
Overview
The refinery has faced ongoing operational issues since 2021. IGO has expressed low confidence in its ability to achieve sustained improvement and fully impaired its 49% stake as of FY2025. Tianqi Lithium, the 51% owner, views it as important to its international strategy. The operating licence was renewed in early 2026 with tougher controls due to dust and odour complaints in 2025.
Production
Production overview - 2025: lithium 4895 t.
Expansion
In January 2025, the joint venture partners, IGO and Tianqi Lithium Corporation, agreed to cease all works and activities on the development of Lithium Hydroxide Plant 2 (LHP2) at Kwinana.
Companies & ownership
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
  • Tianqi Lithium Corporation
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Greenbushes Lithium Operation

Western Australia, Australia · Open Pit

Operating
Lithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Lithium1.9 %1350000 t
2024Lithium2.18 %1420000 t
2023Lithium2.24 %1430000 t
Opened
1983-01-01
Workforce
Approximately 1,700 people.
Production
Production overview - 2025: lithium 1350000 t; 2024: lithium 1420000 t.
Processing
The operation has four processing plants: a technical grade plant (TGP), two chemical grade plants (CGP1 and CGP2), and a tailings retreatment plant (TRP). A third chemical grade plant, CGP3, commenced commissioning in December 2025, increasing total site capacity to approximately 2.1 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate. A new plant commissioning in late 2025 will increase combined processing to approximately 7 million tonnes per annum of dry ore.
Expansion
Significant expansion including an increase in development envelope to 2,791 hectares, construction of waste rock landforms, expansion of dams, new water management infrastructure, and commissioning of Chemical Grade Plant 3 (CGP3) in December 2025. Development options for CGP4 and an exploration program for additional pegmatites and potential underground mining are underway. An updated Mineral Resource Estimate and Ore Reserve Estimate were reported in February 2026.
Companies & ownership
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
  • Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia
  • Albemarle Corporation
    NYSE:ALB
  • Tianqi Lithium Corporation
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Greenbushes Lithium Operation

Western Australia, Australia · Open Pit

Operating
Lithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2024Lithium2 %5800000 t
2023Lithium2.18 %1.491 Mt
Opened
1983-01-01
End year
2048
Workforce
over 900 people in November 2022
Overview
The Greenbushes Lithium Operation is a large-scale, long-life, and low-cost hard rock lithium mine.
Production
Production overview - 2024: lithium 5800000 t; 2023: lithium 1.491 Mt.
Processing
The ore is processed to upgrade the lithium mineral into concentrate using gravity, heavy media separation, flotation, and magnetic processes. The site has four operational processing plants: a technical grade plant (TGP1), two chemical grade plants (CGP1 and CGP2), and a tailings retreatment plant (TRP). A third chemical grade plant (CGP3), with a planned capacity of 500,000 tonnes per annum of spodumene concentrate from 2.4 million tonnes per annum of ore, commenced commissioning in December 2025. The combined nominal processing capacity of the plants is 6.5 million tonnes per annum, producing up to 1.5 million tonnes of lithium mineral concentrate annually. The processing facilities include crushing and screening buildings, High Pressure Grinding Rollers (HPGR), deagglomerator buildings, conveyors, transfer stations, a primary screen feed sizer, a screen oversize conveyor, a surge bin, and a surge bin belt feeder.
Equipment
Conventional open-cut mining involves drill and blast methods. Macmahon Holdings conducts load and haul services and crusher feed. The total mining fleet comprises approximately 150 units, including drills, dozers, water trucks, and graders. A contractor utilises a fleet that includes a jaw crusher, impact crusher, screener, D10 Dozer, 980 Loader, 36-tonne excavator, and an 18m radial stacker for crushing services.
Expansion
Chemical Grade Plant 3 (CGP3) is an integral part of the mine's growth strategy. The total project cost for CGP3 is estimated to be approximately A$880 million.
Companies & ownership
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
  • Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia
  • Albemarle Corporation
    NYSE:ALB
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Greenbushes Lithium Mine

Western Australia, Australia · Open Pit

Operating
Lithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Lithium-1400000 t
2024Lithium-1420000 t
2023Lithium-1491000 t
2022Lithium-361227 t
Opened
1983-01-01
End year
2048
Mine life
22 years
Workforce
As of March 2025, the mine has a workforce of more than 1,700 people.
Overview
The Greenbushes Lithium Mine is undergoing a significant expansion to meet global lithium demand. Lithium minerals have been produced at Greenbushes since 1983, with tin mining commencing in 1888. The mine has a projected mine life of 22 years based on the ore reserve as of May 2025.
Production
Production overview - 2025: lithium 1400000 t; 2024: lithium 1420000 t.
Processing
The operation has four processing plants: Chemical Grade Plant 1 (CGP1), Chemical Grade Plant 2 (CGP2), a Tailings Retreatment Plant (TRP), and a Technical Grade Plant. The processing method involves upgrading the lithium mineral (spodumene) using gravity, heavy media, flotation, and magnetic processes. The commissioning of Chemical Grade Plant 3 (CGP3) commenced on 18 December 2025, with first ore processed. CGP3 has a capacity of approximately 500,000 tonnes per annum of spodumene concentrate, increasing the total site capacity to around 2.1 million tonnes per annum.
Equipment
Mining is a conventional drill and blast, truck and shovel/loader operation. The load and haul activities are carried out by contractor Macmahon Holdings. A contractor, Peel Resource Recovery, has utilised a jaw crusher, impact crusher, screener, D10 dozer, 980 loader, a 36-tonne excavator, and an 18m radial stacker for crushing and screening operations.
Expansion
The mine is undergoing a significant expansion to meet global lithium demand. This includes the construction of new waste rock landforms, expanded water storage capacity, and supporting infrastructure. The expansion has a total footprint of 600 hectares, with 435 hectares outside the previous development envelope. The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority has given approval for the updated proposal, which increases the development envelope to 2,791 hectares.
Companies & ownership
  • Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia
  • Albemarle Corporation
    NYSE:ALB
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
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Greenbushes Lithium Mine

Western Australia, Australia · Open Pit

Operating
Lithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Lithium1.9 %-
2024Lithium-1383000 t
2023Lithium-1491000 t
Opened
1983-01-01
Overview
The mine has been producing lithium concentrates since 1983. An updated Ore Reserve Estimate as of 31 December 2025, for the open-pit hard-rock, is 176 million tonnes at 1.9% Li₂O.
Production
Production overview - 2024: lithium 1383000 t.
Processing
The operation includes four processing plants: three that produce chemical-grade lithium concentrates (CGP1, CGP2, and a Tailings Retreatment Plant) and one that produces technical-grade lithium concentrates (TGP). A third chemical-grade plant, CGP3, commenced construction in 2023 and processed its first ore in December 2025. The addition of CGP3 is expected to increase the total production capacity to approximately 2.1 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate per year.
Expansion
A significant expansion is underway with the commissioning of the third Chemical Grade Plant (CGP3). A new underground Mineral Resource Estimate has been defined, indicating the potential for future underground mining operations to complement the existing open pit. A Strategic Options Review is in progress to optimise the life of mine plan.
Companies & ownership
  • Albemarle Corporation
    NYSE:ALB
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
  • Tianqi Lithium Corporation
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Kwinana Lithium Hydroxide Refinery

Western Australia, Australia · Processing Facility

Operating
Lithium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Lithium-6782 t
2024Lithium-3508 t
Opened
2022-01-01
Production
Production overview - 2025: lithium 6782 t; 2024: lithium 3508 t.
Processing
The refinery processes spodumene concentrate from the Greenbushes mine to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide. The process involves calcining, acid roasting, leaching, purification, and crystallisation. Train 1 has a nameplate capacity of 24,000 tonnes per annum. The plant has faced ongoing operational issues and has operated well below its capacity. It reached 46% of nameplate capacity in the September 2025 quarter. A major shutdown was performed in October 2024 for maintenance and to implement debottlenecking projects. In March 2026, the refinery's operating licence was renewed by the state government despite ongoing community complaints about dust and odours.
Expansion
IGO has fully impaired its 49% stake in the refinery to zero and sees no viable path forward for the asset, citing structurally high energy and labour costs in Australia. IGO's preference is for the operation to be mothballed. In January 2025, IGO and Tianqi agreed to cease all works and activities on a second production train (Train 2). Despite IGO's position, the majority owner Tianqi has stated it has no plans to suspend operations, considering the refinery a "very important part" of its "international strategy". Negotiations between the joint venture partners about the future of the refinery are ongoing.
Companies & ownership
  • Tianqi Lithium Corporation
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
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Kwinana Lithium Hydroxide Refinery

Western Australia, Australia · Processing Facility

Operating
Lithium
Companies & ownership
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
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Greenbushes Lithium Mine

Western Australia, Australia · Open Pit

Operating
Lithium
Companies & ownership
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
View on map
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