Galaxy Resources opens Jiangsu Lithium Carbonate Plant in China

Galaxy Resources Limited has officially opened its wholly-owned Jiangsu Lithium Carbonate Plant in China's Jiangsu province. Located in the Zhangjiagang Free Trade Zone, the facility is described as the largest capacity battery-grade lithium carbonate plant in the Asia Pacific region.

The opening ceremony was attended by 400 delegates, including Australia's Consul General in Shanghai, Alice Cawte, representatives from the Zhangjiagang FTZ Administrative Committee, along with key shareholders and customers. The plant, with a total project cost of approximately A$100 million, has a design capacity of 17,000 tonnes per annum and is positioned as one of the most technologically advanced of its kind.

The Jiangsu Plant is currently in the final stages of commissioning, with first production anticipated by the end of the current quarter. The feedstock for lithium carbonate production will be lithium concentrate from Galaxy Resources' wholly-owned Mt Cattlin mine in Western Australia. Lithium carbonate is a critical component in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries.

Galaxy Resources has secured offtake agreements for 100% of the plant's capacity through long-term framework agreements with 13 major cathode producers in China and Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation. Managing Director Iggy Tan highlighted the plant's safety record, noting that construction and commissioning involved 2 million man-hours without any Lost Time Injuries. Galaxy is the first Australian resource company to operate within the Zhangjiagang Free Trade Zone.