- New $2.5 million grant to accelerate Magnium Australia's Collie-based pilot plant for its net zero magnesium refinery
- Pilot plant expected to open early next year
- Full-scale refinery would create hundreds of industrial jobs for Collie
Collie is one step closer to being home to a net zero magnesium refinery, with the Cook Labor Government today announcing an additional $2.5 million investment to support Magnium Australia.
The support will help accelerate the establishment and opening of Magnium's pilot plant, to produce high-purity magnesium metal in Collie's Light Industrial Area.
With manufacturing equipment already en route to WA, the pilot plant is expected to open in early 2025 and create 18 ongoing jobs in town.
The opening of the pilot plant will see Magnium Australia begin to headquarter its activities from Collie, with international operations centred from the town.
Once operational, the pilot plant will enable commercial-scale testing of technology developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, offering transitioning workers in Collie exposure to next-generation technologies and skills.
The pilot plant will have capacity to scale up to producing 800 tonnes of high purity magnesium metal and is a stepping stone to building a large-scale magnesium refinery in Collie.
A full-scale magnesium refinery would boost production to up to 100,000 tonnes per annum and create more than 200 jobs for the town.
The new support is in addition to the $7 million invested towards establishment of the pilot plant and support for a feasibility study into a commercial-scale facility.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Powering on with attracting major new industries for Collie is crucial for the town's industrial future, and this pilot plant is a critical step to making Collie home to a full-scale, job-creating magnesium refinery.
"Collie's future is in renewable energy industries, and our clean energy plan keeps Collie at the heart of our economy for decades to come - locking in long-term local jobs.
"The Collie Just Transition is going from strength to strength, and my WA Labor Government is absolutely committed to the future of this community."
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns:
"Today's funding is welcome news for the Collie community.
"Magnium Australia has been a target industry for Collie since they presented to the Just Transition Working Group in 2022.
"This was identified as an ideal project for our highly skilled workforce to transition into, making best use of our workers' experience in advanced manufacturing.
"We look forward to Magnium Australia's expanding presence inCollie and working with them to create new opportunities for our workforce."
