The State Government in conjunction with Talison, the South West Development Commission (SWDC), Arc Infrastructure (Arc) and Aurizon Limited (Aurizon) announced during July the commencement of a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) into the recommissioning of the Greenbushes to Bunbury railway line for the transportation of spodumene concentrate from the Mine to its domestic customers in Western Australia (WA) and the Port of Bunbury for export.
The DFS will be a collaboration between the State Government (by means of the SWDC), Talison, Arc and Aurizon. A significant component of the study will be to engage with stakeholders to determine the social impacts.
Talison Lithium CEO Lorry Mignacca said the study will be very important given over the next five years, the amount of lithium mineral concentrate transported by road from Greenbushes is projected to reach 2.1 million tonnes a year, which will significantly increase truck movements along the South West Highway.
“Talison Lithium is proud to be leading this work and looks forward to close engagement with its rail industry partners, Government, and most importantly the communities along the railway line,” said Mr Mignacca.
“We are committed to undertaking this study and are hopeful the results of the study will lead to decisions late next year to recommission the Greenbushes to Bunbury railway line which would take our product off the roads and assist with all our decarbonisation efforts.”
The initial round of community consultation sessions is planned to begin in early August 2023.
For enquiries about the DFS please contact info@talisonrail.com or call 1800418581.