WA’s circular economy to be advanced by Lithium research partnership

The Western Australian State Government has partnered with industry to research alternative uses for the co-products of lithium processing.

This collaborative initiative brings together key stakeholders, including the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), Main Roads Western Australia, ChemCentre, and leading lithium processors, to shape the future of sustainable infrastructure.

The project focuses on evaluating the potential use of Delithiated Beta Spodumene (DBS), a co-product of processing lithium ore, as a road-building material. 

“Through this initiative, our goal is to promote the use of DBS in line with the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030, focusing on boosting resource recovery and supporting a circular economy,” said environment minister Reece Whitby.

“The outcomes of this project will contribute to a more circular economy, reducing reliance on landfill, cutting carbon emissions and minimising environmental impact.”

This research will provide further insight into the material’s performance as an alternative to virgin sand, as well as boosting confidence that the material is environmentally safe for use in future infrastructure projects.

This work builds on an existing demonstration of the material in the Wilman Wadandi Highway (Bunbury Outer Ring Road Project) which was similarly overseen by ChemCentre and MRIWA.

This initiative, along with the development of the Recovered Materials (RM) Framework legislative reforms, are part of the State Government’s commitment to advancing the circular economy through the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 and the Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy 2024-2030.