Scientists just opened a $951,000,000 lithium mine that could change the EV industry as we know it
Published on Jul 15, 2025 at 4:23 PM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Jul 15, 2025 at 9:17 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
The opening of a new lithium mine in Australia continues to see the EV industry grow and develop at a booming rate.
That booming growth can mostly be attributed to that one core material.
Lithium just happens to be the core ingredient for all things batteries.
And now, scientists in Australia have just opened a $951,000,000 lithium mine.
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A new lithium mine could be about to make Australia a powerhouse of the EV industry.
No, a new EV manufacturer has not just suddenly been created in the Australian Outback.
Instead, something much more important and impactful has happened.
In the last few days, China announced the discovery of something massive.
It revealed to the world the discovery of 540,000,000 tonnes of lithium ore.
The discovery is very important for China – especially its booming EV industry.
China is already second only to Chile in terms of the world’s reserves of this crucial material.
And now, Australia has just come up with some big news of its own.
The country’s government has just announced the opening of the Kathleen Valley lithium mine.
It sits 700km northeast of Perth – right in the outback of Western Australia.
The Kathleen Valley mine was officially opened by Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King, alongside Western Australia Mines Minister David Michael.
How important could this lithium mine prove to be?
Employing over 450 workers, this lithium mine is said to have enough reserves to operate for 23 years.
The new mine is reportedly operated by Perth-based company Liontown Resources.
There are fears over the sustainability of the project, however, with low mineral prices closing two mines in Western Australia in the last nine months.
Regardless of recent form, managing director Tony Ottaviano is confident in the venture.
“There are many sources of demand, everyone focuses on EVs, but stationary batteries we believe will be a huge growth area,” Ottaviano said, as reported by ABC News.
Global demand for the material is expected to quadruple by the year 2030.
It is expected that the opening of the Kathleen Valley lithium mine will massively boost Australia’s EV industry.
The mineral is already re-shaping the EV industry, with direct lithium extraction, or DLE, bringing down prices and offering a greener solution to previous mining methods.
It certainly appears that, if successful, Australia could be the next powerhouse of the EV industry.
Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.
