Greenbushes Capacity Expansion
Talison’s Greenbushes operation needs to grow
Talison continues to play an important role in achieving net zero emissions globally, supplying 20% of the world’s lithium, which is fundamental for manufacturing electric vehicles and power storage batteries. To continue to play this critical role and meet global lithium demand, Talison’s Greenbushes operation needs to grow. As we do this, there will be benefits in terms of increased employment opportunities, community investment and support of local businesses however, the same growth will also mean we need more space to store waste rock and, with less rainfall due to climate change, we also require greater water storage capacity.
We are proposing to expand the mine to the east and south
So, we are proposing to expand the mine to the east and south of the current Greenbushes site to deliver:
an additional waste rock landform and expansion of the existing Floyds waste rock landform
expanded storage capacity at the Saltwater Gully Dam.
a highway crossing (overpass or underpass) to allow haul truck access to the new waste rock landform, without disrupting traffic on South Western Highway.
supporting infrastructure such as internal roads and powerlines, and water management to protect the surrounding catchment.
We will work extremely hard to minimise impacts
As the project progresses, our neighbours living near the mine may see changes in the amount of light, noise and dust. We understand this may create a negative impact to some people, and we will work extremely hard to minimise these impacts whether it is on our neighbours, our environment or anyone living in, or visiting, the South West.
Latest update – OCTOBER 2025
community workshops
Thank you to all who attended our series of Community Workshops in mid-September. We had productive conversations discussing key issues raised about the proposed Greenbushes Capacity Expansion, with the community working together to identify preferred actions to reduce impacts and explore opportunities. Talison subject matter experts were present to answer detailed questions and provide information on areas of interest.
A summary of the workshops is available to read by clicking the button below.
The summary includes an overview of the workshops held and their purpose, the key themes discussed, feedback from the community on those themes, and then the top community and social investment priorities raised. The summary includes verbatim responses from the community, including tables of comments listed exactly as written at the workshops.
Talison will continue to work with the community and the Stakeholder Reference Committee (SRC) to review and respond to these priorities. Minutes from SRC meetings are uploaded as they are finalised at talisonlithium.com/community
As detailed in the ‘Environmental Referral Processes’ section below, Talison is currently preparing an Environmental Review Document (ERD) for the state approvals process. This ERD will need to demonstrate that Talison have listened to community priorities and taken action, or have a plan to take action to respond to these priorities. Additionally, keep in touch with project updates via this website and be sure to sign up to the mailing list for direct notifications.
Thank you once again for your time, participation, and ongoing support. We truly appreciate your engagement, thoughtful contributions, and continued interest in our Capacity Expansion Projects.
Environmental referral Processes
Talison Lithium’s proposed capacity expansion projects at the Greenbushes Lithium Operation are currently undergoing two separate but parallel environmental assessment processes:
at the Commonwealth level, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), administered by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), and
at the State level, through the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Western Australia.
These concurrent assessments ensure that both state and national environmental considerations are thoroughly addressed.
COMMONWEALTH REFERRAL
Talison has referred its proposed capacity expansion projects at the Greenbushes Lithium Operation to the Commonwealth environmental assessment agency. Under the EPBC Act, DCCEEW assesses proposals where there is potential for impact on Matters of National Environmental Significance - including nationally significant animals, plants, habitats or places.
Updated September 2025: Assessment commenced
The Commonwealth environment minister has considered Talison’s referral, taking into account the comments received from the public during the 10-business-day comment period.
The referral decision is that the proposed Action is a “Controlled Action” and therefore requires assessment and approval under the EPBC Act before it can proceed.
This assessment approach decision is that the project will be assessed by preliminary documentation. This means the project will be assessed based on the ‘referral form and any other relevant material identified by the minister as being necessary to adequately assess a proposed action.’ Further information on the assessment process, which includes another public comment period, can be found here.
STATE REFERRAL
Updated September 2025: Environmental Scoping Document published by the EPA
The EPA WA has set the level of assessment for Talison Lithium’s proposed capacity expansion projects for the Greenbushes lithium operations to a Public Environmental Review with an eight (8) week public comment period.
The EPA has prepared an Environmental Scoping Document which lists the information required from Talison for an environmental review. Talison is now required to prepare the Environmental Review Document (ERD), which will be made available for an extended public review period. The EPA will approve publishing of the ERD once they are satisfied that it addresses the requirements of the ESD and assessment. Our anticipated timing of public release of our ERD is late 2025/early 2026 as shown on our Timeline.
For more information on the assessment process please visit the EPA WA step-by-step guide.
Project Map
Greenbushes Lithium Operation Map (click to enlarge)
Visual Renders
As part of our commitment to transparency and meaningful community engagement, we’ve developed a series of visual renders to illustrate how the proposed Capacity Expansion Projects, particularly the construction of new and expanded waste rock landforms, could alter the landscape. These include views from key vantage points, such as along South Western Highway, where changes may be more noticeable.
We recognise that the project represents a significant change in some areas. The visuals have been created to show how the landforms may appear over time, starting from when construction is complete, through early rehabilitation, and into more advanced stages of growth. This provides a realistic sense of how progressive rehabilitation is expected to occur and how the landscape may evolve.
By sharing these renders openly, we aim to support understanding and encourage informed community engagement.
How to use the tool
Click on a blue icon on the map to view a simulated visualisation of an area. Click and drag anywhere on the rendering with your mouse to look around the scene on your screen.
In the white box at the top right of the widget, you'll find the Timeline. Click on ‘Current’ to view recent photos and videos showing the area as it looks now, before any proposed Waste Rock Landforms (WRLs) are constructed. Then, try clicking ‘Approximately 0 years from completion of the landforms’. This will show the landforms as they will look when first built. The landforms will mostly be a greyish brown - the colour of the blasted rock that has been removed from the pits.
As time progresses and rehabilitation efforts continue, you'll see the proposed landforms gradually become greener as vegetation establishes and grows. Native plant species are planned to be used to help the proposed landforms blend in with the surrounding landscape. Click through the other options, ‘Approximately 10 years’, and ‘Approximately 20 years’ to see how rehabilitation progresses over time, with vegetation gradually filling in and transforming the landforms.
If you’re having trouble seeing the landforms, click on the ‘Colour Overlay’ checkbox. This will apply a bright yellow overlay directly over the landforms to help you locate them more easily. Please note, the yellow overlay is only visible on photos, not videos.
In some areas, such as views from Talison’s Caladenia Village or the Mine Lookout at the end of Blackwood Road, you may see very little of the landforms due to surrounding hills and other visual barriers. In these cases, the yellow overlay shows where the landforms sit in proximity to the location, even though they aren’t currently visible and likely won't be visible from that viewpoint.
Project Timeline
Capacity Expansion Projects Key Dates
This timeline has been updated from the version published in February 2025. Now that the two State and Federal environmental approvals processes are underway, we can position markers associated with those processes more accurately. We have also shown which markers are now complete.
FAQ
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Talison Lithium is a private company owned by two companies under a joint venture arrangement – Tianqi Lithium Corporation / IGO Limited JV (51%) and Albemarle Corporation (49%).
Headquartered in Perth, Talison Lithium has been leading global lithium production since 1983. Our Greenbushes operation has a rich history dating back to the discovery of tin in 1888 and many of our team members have deep, generational ties to the mine.
Talison is proud to support the global transition to clean energy and equally proud of its contribution to Australia’s economy and communities. In 2024, Talison contributed over $853.4 million to local, state, and federal governments, and invested more than $7 million in community projects across the South West region.
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A waste rock landform is an area used for storing the waste rock that is removed from the open pit during mining operations. It is an engineered structure, designed to reduce environmental impacts such as erosion, drainage, and contamination. Waste rock landforms are rehabilitated progressively to blend with the surrounding landscape and land uses.
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Greenbushes is expanding to meet the growing global demand for lithium and, as the pit expands, there is an increasing need to store waste rock and rehabilitation materials, manage water supply and develop supporting infrastructure. At the same time, we’re experiencing less rainfall due to climate change, which means we require greater water storage capacity.
Talison’s existing Floyds waste rock landform is expected to reach capacity soon so, we’ve explored several options to ensure the additional waste rock produced over the next decade could be stored in areas with the lowest possible environmental, social and community impact.
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We are proposing to expand the mine to the east and south to deliver:
an additional waste rock landform and expansion of the existing Floyds waste rock landform.
expanded water storage capacity at the Saltwater Gully Dam.
a highway crossing to allow haul truck access to the new waste rock landform, without disrupting traffic on South Western Highway. Whether the crossing is over or under the highway will be determined during the detailed design process in 2025, in consultation with Main Roads WA and other stakeholders.
supporting infrastructure such as stockpiles of rehabilitation materials, internal roads and powerlines, and water management to protect the surrounding environment.
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Our expansion will lead to benefits such as increased employment opportunities, community investment, and support of local businesses. However, we understand those living near the mine may see increases in the amount of light, noise, and dust, and we will work hard to minimise these impacts on our neighbours, our environment, and anyone living in or visiting the South West.
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As the waste rock from the mine is moved from the pit to create new and expanded landforms, the growing extent of operations at Greenbushes will become more noticeable.
Those living near the mine will see changes in the amount of light, noise and dust generated. We will work extremely hard to minimise these impacts on the environment, our neighbours and anyone living in, or visiting, the South West.
To download our dust and dust management factsheet please click here.
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We are proposing to combine the five existing Salt Water Gully dams into one larger catchment dam with increased capacity.
The location, in Salt Water Gully on the Lyons River, has been chosen to minimise impacts on other landholders and downstream water users. The expansion area for the dam is predominantly on cleared land owned by Talison.
As the project progresses to the design phase, we are actively seeking input and feedback from stakeholders to minimise environmental and community impacts.
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The existing Floyds waste rock landform (WRL) will reach capacity soon, so we are proposing to extend it further south, progressively building the extension up to the height of the current landform to preserve visual amenity.
Supporting infrastructure will also be required including access roads, stockpiles of rehabilitation materials, and runoff and seepage collection drains.
The planned extension is within the current mine development area and involves clearing native vegetation within the state forest boundary. As such it will require additional environmental approvals, comprehensive rehabilitation plans and acquisition of new environmental offset areas, outside the mine site. These offset areas will be carefully selected to ensure habitat protection for threatened species and will be much larger than the area cleared.
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The proposed new waste rock landform will be located adjacent to the current Greenbushes mine, immediately east of South Western Highway, north of the Hester Cascades Road.
It will be progressively built to the height of the current Floyds Waste Rock Landform to preserve visual amenity and remain consistent with local topography.
A highway crossing is proposed to enable haul truck access to the waste rock landform without affecting traffic on the South Western Highway. Consultation with Main Roads WA and local stakeholders will inform the design and location of the highway crossing, which could be an underpass or overpass.
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We have carefully selected these locations to avoid sensitive environmental areas and minimise clearing of vegetation and disruption to the community.
As part of the environmental assessment process, we will work with our stakeholders to consider the best options for mitigating operational impacts, using our existing environmental management measures (such as noise, dust and water quality management technologies) as well as applying fit-for-purpose mitigation and management techniques, in consultation with our stakeholders.
Please contact us if you have any suggestions or would like to discuss this with a member of our team. Email projects@talisonlithium.com or call 1300 904 650
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The proposal will require the approval of state and federal environmental agencies, initially under the Environment Protection Act 1986 and Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Both are public processes which we expect will occur throughout 2025 and 2026, with several opportunities for public comment, which will be advertised widely. We will share more information about this as it becomes available.
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Talison has several other projects in progress which are separate to this expansion project. For example, we are nearing competition of our third chemical grade plant (CGP 3) and in 2024 we opened the doors of Caladenia Village, our new permanent accommodation facility for the Talison workforce.
We are also currently constructing a haul road through our property which will enable transport of rehabilitation materials from the mine site to designated stockpile locations. These materials will then be used to rehabilitate areas disturbed by mining over the life of the mine. This construction is a key part of our rehabilitation efforts and it can be seen from the South Western Highway. Once the road is completed, we will begin to build the rehabilitation material stockpiles; then regular hauling will stop. Future hauling will only occur as needed. If you would like to speak to a member of our community team about general Talison operations or other projects that are separate to this expansion, please email GBContact@talisonlithium.com.
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Water is essential for mining, processing, construction and dust suppression activities. Talison only extracts groundwater that naturally collects in mining voids - we do not, and have no plans to, use bores for groundwater extraction. All other operational water comes from rainwater collected in onsite dams. As we expand, we will need more water, so we plan to increase our dam capacity to better retain rainfall that falls on the mine site.
Talison also sources potable water from the Warren Blackwood Water Scheme for drinking and ablutions for our people, both onsite and at our accommodation facilities. We have a water management plan to manage potential impacts on surface and groundwater, strictly adhering to environmental quality standards. Our focus is on improving water capture, increasing recycling of process water through our award-winning water treatment plant, and adopting water-saving technologies to reduce consumption and maintain water quality.
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In some cases, we may need to purchase land to support operational activity or to create appropriate buffer zones. Land acquisition decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as proximity to current or proposed operations, and the strategic importance of the land in relation to future expansion plans.
We also support near-mine residents through other mitigation activities, such as tank cleaning and some property maintenance assistance. If you would like to discuss support options, please get in touch with our Community team on 08 9782 5700 and gbcontact@talisonlithium.com
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S7 is referenced to provide context about our long-term planning and to demonstrate that we’ve considered a range of future options. In earlier engagement sessions, stakeholders asked about potential future directions for the mine. At that time, S7 appeared to be the next logical step beyond S2 and S8. However, we are now actively exploring alternatives that may allow us to avoid further clearing altogether, such as recycling and reuse of waste rock in projects outside of the mine and investigating underground mining. Given these alternatives are still being assessed, it’s too early to determine whether S7 will ever be needed. That’s why we’re not seeking approval for it at this stage.
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To responsibly assess future options, we needed to understand the environmental values of areas like S7. This required at least a conceptual design to determine the appropriate extent of surveys. The results showed that forest intactness generally increases from north to south, with S7 hosting higher-quality vegetation and fauna habitat. These findings helped inform our decision to prioritise S8 over S7 and support our current strategy to avoid further clearing.
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While S2 and S8 would provide sufficient capacity to meet near-term requirements, they are not expected to meet the full Life of Mine needs. Talison is currently undertaking a Life of Mine optimisation study, which will provide greater clarity on long-term capacity and infrastructure requirements.
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Over the coming months, as part of the environmental approvals process for the expansion project, Talison will progress the detailed project design. A project timeline is available on this page. We genuinely value the input we receive from members of our local community, and we look forward to discussing our plans and hearing your thoughts. Throughout 2025 and 2026, there will be several formal public consultation opportunities. Please keep an eye on this website for the latest information on how to get involved.
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Read through the information on this website and see the ‘Get in touch’ section above.
Register here to receive project updates by email. Submit thoughts or request more information through our community contact form.
We will also publish links to the environmental referral documents, which include technical studies, on our website – once these have been made available by the relevant state and federal environmental agencies.
Other Resources
GET IN TOUCH
We genuinely value the input we receive from members of our local community and we look forward to discussing our plans with you and hearing your thoughts.
Register here to receive project updates by email.
Email us at projects@talisonlithium.com
Call us on 1300 904 650
Submit thoughts or request more information through our community contact form.