The Western Australian (WA) Government has granted green energy major project status to the Australian Vanadium Project, Australian Vanadium's (AVL) integrated mining and processing development.
This initiative aims to enhance the diversification and decarbonisation of industries in WA, aligning with the state's clean energy and critical minerals ambitions.
The project will unlock domestic vanadium production, supporting the deployment of vanadium flow batteries for energy storage.
Australian Vanadium CEO Graham Arvidson said: “Being recognised under the Western Australian Government’s Lead Agency Framework is a significant development for AVL, highlighting the project’s importance in Australia’s energy transition. This recognition strengthens our ability to secure approvals efficiently, drive local job creation and establish Western Australia as a leader in the global critical minerals supply chain.
“We look forward to collaborating with the government to accelerate project development and deliver lasting benefits to Australia’s economy and clean energy future.”
The Australian Vanadium Project features an open-cut vanadium mine and concentrator in Gabanintha, near Meekatharra in WA.
The project will produce high-grade vanadium concentrate, which will be transported to a proposed processing plant at Tenindewa, near Geraldton.
Here, it will be refined into high-purity vanadium oxides and an iron concentrate coproduct for export via Geraldton Port.
AVL’s approach supports the Australian Government’s Future Made in Australia initiative, which focuses on boosting domestic manufacturing and facilitating the transition to a net-zero economy.
By integrating mining and processing within WA, the company aims to build a local, value-added vanadium industry, supporting job creation and strengthening Australia's role in global critical minerals supply chains.
The Australian Vanadium Project is estimated to contain 395.4 million tonnes (mt) of resources, grading 0.77% vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), 34.8% iron (Fe), 9.3% titanium dioxide (TiO2), 19.1% silicon dioxide (SiO2) and 11.4% aluminium oxide (AI2O3).
