The Western Australian government said May 24 that it plans to establish a task force to explore the state's potential to produce and process lithium and other energy materials and to create jobs.
The task force will oversee development of a strategy to maximize the exploitation of lithium and other energy materials in the state. It will be chaired by Minister for Mines and Petroleum Bill Johnston and is expected to present recommendations to the state government within six months.
"This isn't just about extracting resources from the ground. It's also about processing them here in Western Australia to create jobs for Western Australians," Johnston said in a statement. "We are determined to make the most of the opportunity, and the task force will set out a clear plan to establish Western Australia as a world leader in this industry."
The state government announced A$5.5 million in provisional funding for the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia with the aim of supporting development and manufacturing of technology metals and renewable energy sources. The institute will aim to use the money to establish the New Energy Industry Cooperative Research Centre in Western Australia.
