PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) which could bolster the state’s battery chemical industry.
The MoU will support cooperation and provide a framework for the exchange of scientific and technical knowledge across the entire mining value chain with a particular focus on critical minerals.
“This MoU will enable cooperation on research and exchange of information with our Korean trading partners to build capability and reaffirm the importance of Western Australia in the global supply of critical minerals,” said Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston.
“Transformational change is needed in how we find commodities, extract and process them, and convert them for use in manufacturing processes to support the global efforts in decarbonisation.
“This cooperation is an important step in developing a strong battery chemical industry in Western Australia, in partnership with the Korean industry.”
KIGAM is a government-funded geoscience research organisation founded in 1918 which is at the forefront of leading innovation in geoscience and technology solutions to respond to current global issues such as climate change.
This MoU further strengthens the relationship between Western Australia and the Republic of Korea following the signing of a historic letter of intent in February 2023.