The Western Australian Government has opened applications for its $50 million Lithium Industry Loan Facility as it looks to support an ailing local lithium sector.
The program offers interest-free loans of up to $15 million to eligible spodumene concentrate producers.
WA Premier Roger Cook highlighted the initiative’s goal of stabilising operations and safeguarding local employment.
“Keeping WA’s economy strong and supporting local jobs is always the priority for my government,” Cook said.
“The Lithium Industry Loan Facility will help our lithium miners pull through this challenging period and come out even stronger into the future.
“Our clean energy plan is positioning WA as a global renewable energy powerhouse, and our critical minerals industry will play a key role in WA’s economic future.”
WA produces approximately 50 per cent of the world’s lithium, with the critical mineral playing a key role in the global clean energy transition.
However, the lithium sector has recently faced cyclically low prices, putting pressure on miners and more than 11,000 local jobs they support.
WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael encouraged eligible miners to apply, stressing the economic importance of the sector.
“Not only will this facility help lithium miners through the challenging conditions they are experiencing, but it will also help protect the jobs of thousands of Western Australians,” Michael said.
The loan facility is a central component of the WA Government’s broader $150 million lithium support package.
By providing temporary financial assistance, the initiative aims to maintain production stability while positioning the state as a global leader in battery and critical minerals.
With interest-free loans on offer and WA’s strategic clean energy and critical minerals focus, the Lithium Industry Loan Facility is set to play a pivotal role in ensuring that the state’s lithium sector emerges resilient and is ready to meet the growing demand due to the energy transition.
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