Joint media release with the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, the Hon Christian Porter MP

The Morrison Government is supporting the development of a mining and processing project that could bring hundreds of jobs and local business opportunities to regional communities in Western Australia.

FYI Resources Ltd has been granted Major Project Status for its $269 million High-Purity Alumina Project in Kwinana, Western Australia. The project includes the development and operation of a mine and processing plant to produce high-purity alumina for exports.

High-purity alumina has been identified in the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing National Manufacturing Priority Road Map as an opportunity for more advanced processing onshore. 

High-purity alumina is sought after for its superior properties and unique qualities such as corrosion and scratch resistance, high brightness, ability to withstand extreme temperatures, and is used in the production of lithium-ion batteries.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Christian Porter, said the High-Purity Alumina project is expected to support 200 people during construction and 140 ongoing staff over the life of the project. 

“The project will use an innovative process for producing the high-purity alumina which is expected to have a lower environmental footprint than the traditional production,” Minister Porter said.

“Not only will it improve global supplies of alumina, with forecast export revenue of $6.8 billion, but the project will also provide a raft of economic and job benefits for regional communities in Western Australia,” Minister Porter said.

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt, said the project complements the Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy.

“The project will process up to 198,000 tonnes of high-purity alumina within the initial 25 year project timeframe, with an annual production capacity of 8,000 tonnes per annum, and will supply directly to China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Europe, and North America,” Minister Pitt said.

“In addition, it supports Australia’s policy to have more down-stream processing capabilities developed locally.”

Major Project Status helps companies access extra support, coordination, and information services from the Major Projects Facilitation Agency which acts as a single entry point into the Australian Government regulatory approvals pathway. 

More information on the Major Projects Facilitation Agency and the full list of current major projects is available on the Major Projects Facilitation Agency website.

Media contact:

Minister Pitt's office 02 6277 7180