Name of the Project
Australian vanadium project.
Location
Murchison province, Western Australia.
Project Owner/s
Australian Vanadium Limited (AVL).
Project Description
The project is one of the most advanced vanadium projects being developed in the world, and comprises a high-grade vanadium/titanium/iron-ore deposit, with proven and probable reserves of 32.1-million tonnes grading 1.05% vanadium pentoxide.
The project is expected to produce 24.3-million pounds of vanadium a year over a 25-year mine life and is based on a proposed openpit mine; a crushing, milling and beneficiation plant; and a processing plant for final conversion and sale of high-quality vanadium pentoxide for use in steel, specialty alloys and energy storage markets.
About 900 000 t/y iron-titanium co-product will be shipped through the Port of Geraldton over the life-of-mine.
Potential Job Creation
More than 740 jobs are expected to be supported by the project.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has pretax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of A$909-million and internal rate of return of 17.5%, with a payback of 6.6 years.
Capital Expenditure
$399-million.
Planned Start/End Date
AVL is aiming to produce its first vanadium electrolyte for commercial use by November 2023.
Latest Developments
Construction on AVL’s vanadium electrolyte facility has started, with engineering firm Primero Group appointed to construct the facility.
At this facility, US partner US Vanadium’s (USV’s) proven electrolyte manufacturing technology will be deployed, with AVL targeting the production of up to 33 MWh/y of vanadium redox flow battery high-purity electrolyte.
Until production of vanadium oxides from AVL’s Midwest processing hub starts, vanadium oxide feedstock for the electrolyte facility will be sourced through the company’s agreement with USV.
AVL has also appointed Simon Rough to manage the facility through construction and into production.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Primero Group (construction contract).
Contact Details for Project Information
Australian Vanadium, tel +61 8 9321 5594 or email info@australianvanadium.com.au.