Greenbushes

Greenbushes is one of the world's largest hard-rock lithium mines, located in the South West region of Western Australia.

History

Greenbushes is one of the oldest mining areas in Western Australia, with tin and tantalum mining dating back to the late 1800s. The lithium potential was recognised much later, with the discovery of the massive spodumene deposit in the 1980s. Talison Lithium (jointly owned by Tianqi Lithium, IGO and Albemarle) now operates the site as the largest hard-rock lithium mine in the world.

Why It's Iconic

Greenbushes is recognised globally as one of the largest and highest-grade hard-rock lithium operations, central to the battery minerals supply chain.

Scale and Production

Greenbushes is the largest hard-rock lithium mine globally by production and reserve grade. Annual production capacity is being expanded to meet growing battery mineral demand, with multiple expansion stages planned or underway.

Equipment

Technology and Autonomous Systems

Processing Infrastructure

Greenbushes produces spodumene concentrate through crushing, grinding, flotation and gravity separation. The operation produces chemical-grade and technical-grade spodumene concentrate for global battery and ceramics markets. A lithium hydroxide processing plant is being developed on site.

Workforce

Approximately 400-500 employees and contractors, primarily residential in the South West region. The operation is close to Bunbury and the South West communities.

Major Milestones

• Late 1800s: Tin and tantalum mining begins
• 1980s: Major spodumene lithium deposit discovered
• 2010s: Major expansions to meet battery mineral demand
• Ongoing: Largest hard-rock lithium mine in the world

Interesting Facts

• The largest hard-rock lithium mine in the world
• Also produces tantalum as a by-product
• Located in WA's South West — one of the few major mines in a temperate region
• Central to the global battery minerals supply chain
• Mining has occurred here for over 130 years across different commodities