Media Release: Talison Lithium’s Greenbushes Lithium Operation Becomes First Australian Mine to Commit to IRMA Independent Audit

MEDIA RELEASE

Talison Lithium’s Greenbushes Lithium Operation Becomes First Australian Mine to Commit to IRMA Independent Audit

Perth, Australia — 7 August 2024— Talison Lithium Pty Ltd (Talison) proudly announces that its Greenbushes Lithium Operation will be the first mine in Australia to undergo a third-party independent assessment against the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) Standard for Responsible Mining. The decision to volunteer its Greenbushes Lithium Operation for IRMA audit reflects Talison’s commitment to responsible mining practices and transparency.

Located 250 kilometres south of Perth, the Greenbushes Lithium Operation has been a leader in the Australian lithium sector for over 40 years. Renowned globally for its high-quality ore reserves, it is a key supplier of lithium, a critical mineral essential for the global transition to cleaner energy.  Talison’s Greenbushes Lithium Operation employs more than 1,500 people, and is committed to engaging closely with its workforce, shareholders, and the local community to mitigate impacts and maximise opportunity as it continues to expand.

The IRMA assessment will be conducted by SCS Global Services, an IRMA-approved independent audit firm, and will include a comprehensive two-stage process: a desktop review (Stage 1) followed by an onsite audit (Stage 2).

We care about a better future—and we know our stakeholders do as well. Whether it be employees, the community, or customers, we want them to know we are committed to responsible mining and production practices” said Ian McGuire, Interim Managing Director, Talison.

To achieve this, we need to provide those affected by our mine with the information they need to engage in meaningful dialogue about where Talison is achieving best practice, and where there is more work to be done. That’s why we’re conducting an IRMA audit”.

By volunteering Greenbushes for independent audit against the world’s most rigorous global mining standard, Talison is providing unprecedented transparency into the operations of an Australian mine” said IRMA Executive Director Aimee Boulanger. “They are effectively putting themselves under a microscope and welcoming affected stakeholders to examine their mine and help them make their mine more responsible”.

IRMA is:

(1) a voluntary mining standard describing best practices to protect people and the environment;

(2) an assurance process to measure mines against that standard; and

(3) an organisation equally governed by representatives of six (6) affected stakeholder sectors – communities, organised labour, NGOs, finance, purchasers and mining companies – that controls the standard and the assurance process.

About Talison Lithium Pty Ltd: Talison, a wholly owned subsidiary of Windfield Holdings Pty Ltd—privately held by Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia (TLEA), a joint venture between Tianqi Lithium Corporation (Tianqi) and IGO Limited (IGO) holding 51%, and Albemarle Corporation (Albemarle) holding 49%—operates the Greenbushes Lithium Operation.

About IRMA: The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) offers a comprehensive and rigorous standard for ensuring mines operate responsibly with respect to social and environmental practices, providing a balanced governance structure that includes voices from communities, labour, NGOs, finance, purchasers, and mining companies.

For More Information:

  • Interested parties may contact the independent audit firm SCS Global Services, to share comments or to ask to be interviewed as part of the audit process.  30 days prior to the onsite audit, SCS will make its own announcement and invitation directly to local communities and workers. The audit firm can be reached by email at: feedback@scsglobalservices.com

  • For general information on the IRMA mine site assessment process, visit responsiblemining.net.

  • To follow progress of the IRMA assessment, visit the IRMA website for Talison’s Greenbushes Lithium Operation independent assessment status page.

For enquiries please contact Talison Lithium Pty Ltd at gbcontact@talisonlithium.com, or visit our website Talison Lithium.

Talison invests $1.7 Million for New Inclusive All-Ages Playground in Boyup Brook

Talison Lithium Pty Ltd (Talison) is proud to be partnering with the Shire of Boyup Brook (Shire) to develop a new, all-ages accessible playground at Sandakan Park. Through the Talison Community Investment Program (CIP), Talison is investing $1.716 million into this community-based project, which will provide a safe and inclusive play space for people of all ages.

The Shire engaged with their community to identify the project for funding and formed a working group in 2023 to ensure the playground meets the community's needs. This new playground will replace the existing, aging facility, marking the first phase of a wider transformation of Sandakan Park into a family-friendly space that encourages social connections and healthy lifestyles.

 Sandakan Park’s central location makes it an excellent open space for the community, visitors and tourists. The new playground will enhance the Shire's livability and serve as a significant drawcard to the region.

 Talison is proud to support this initiative and looks forward to strengthening its collaboration with the Shire. Further information about the project will be available in the coming weeks on the Shire's website and social media.

 Talison’s General Manager – Operations, Craig Dawson, has welcomed the partnership on the project with the Shire.

 “Talison is proud to partner with the Shire of Boyup Brook in developing a new, all-ages accessible playground. The Shire's efforts in engaging with the community to identify and propose this project for CIP funding have been commendable,” said Mr Dawson.

 Mr Dawson said he hopes the project will have benefits that are felt beyond the Shire’s borders.

 “As a residential mine, Talison recognises that its employees are also members of communities like Boyup Brook, and what benefits the community also benefits the Greenbushes Lithium Operation workforce.

 “This playground will significantly add to the area's livability and become a drawcard for visitors to the region, along with those in nearby towns. Talison is thrilled to support this project which will positively impact the Boyup Brook community for generations to come."

 Talison’s CIP provides funding opportunities for larger, longer-term projects, that align with the needs and aspirations of communities surrounding the Greenbushes Lithium Operation. For more information on the CIP please contact the Talison Community Team gbcontact@talisonlithium.com

2023 Sustainability Report Released

Talison's 2023 Sustainability Report Released

We are proud to share our 2023 Sustainability Report, marking another significant step in our commitment to responsible operations and environmental stewardship. Building on the foundation laid in our inaugural report, this year we highlight our progress and ongoing efforts across our operations.

Key Highlights:

  • Achieved a record production of 1.52 million tonnes of lithium mineral concentrate in 2023, a 13% increase from 2022, without increasing our carbon emissions intensity per tonne of production.

  • Completed the new mining services area, awarded two significant mining contracts, and progressed construction of another chemical grade processing plant.

  • Launched our new Community Investment Program, aimed at providing larger funding opportunities to deliver strategic infrastructure projects. This initiative is designed to build social capital and foster local ownership within the communities near our operations.

Our sustainability journey is ongoing, guided by our values and centred around a commitment to continuous improvement. We engage closely with stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability in our sustainability initiatives.

Read the 2023 Sustainability Report for detailed insights into our sustainability performance and initiatives. Access the report here.

Talison invests $2.254 million in Bridgetown-Greenbushes through 2024 Partnering for the Future Program

Talison Lithium Pty Ltd (Talison) and the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes (Shire) are proud to announce the projects funded through the 2024 Partnering for the Future program. This collaborative program will see an investment of $2.254 million from Talison aimed at enhancing community infrastructure, civic buildings, recreational areas, and youth spaces.

Working closely with the Shire, Talison has again prioritised the continued delivery of the Greenbushes Transformation Plan specifically to fund enhancements to public amenities, parks, sporting facilities, footpaths, roads and drainage.

Bridgetown will benefit from funds for the installation of air conditioning and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment in the Bridgetown Town Hall, as well as the development of engaging interpretive displays in the soon to be relocated Bridgetown Visitor Centre, located within the newly restored Bridgetown Railway Station.

Also included is an energy sustainability project which will see the installation of solar panels and batteries on civic buildings in Bridgetown. This project was scoped in the 2023 Partnering for the Future program of works.

Shire President Jenny Mountford welcomed the 2024 funding allocation.

“Council is very happy to see the strong working relationship with Talison Lithium continue to develop,” said Ms Mountford.

“Their contribution to major projects within our Shire is welcomed and appreciated by our organization and the community at large.”

Talison General Manager – Operations, Craig Dawson, said the 2024 partnership would continue to build on the foundations laid by the inaugural Partnering for the Future projects in 2023, bringing more benefits to the communities in Bridgetown and Greenbushes.

“Talison is committed to operating in a responsible and sustainable manner and critical to this commitment is working with the communities surrounding our Greenbushes Lithium Operation,” said Mr Dawson.

“Talison is pleased to be able to provide support to the Shire to deliver these initiatives which will benefit a broad cross section of our community,” he said.

Projects approved for 2024 are:

  • continuation of the Greenbushes Drainage Plan (including test drilling);

  • reconstruction of four streets and five footpaths within Greenbushes townsite;

  • installation of approximately one (1) kilometre of kerbing in the town area;

  • Jephson Street Streetscape Plan – design for improvement to drainage and tree health between Stanifer and Collins Streets;

  • general renovations and installation of additional ablutions at the Blackwood Road public toilets in the Greenbushes Central Business District (CBD);

  • funding contribution towards the Greenbushes Pump Track adjacent to the newly installed Greenbushes Youth Precinct Skate Park at Thomson Park;

  • resurfacing of the hard courts and line marking for tennis and basketball along with a dividing fence to separate the tennis and basketball areas at the Greenbushes Sports Complex;

  • fit out of the new Visitor Centre at Bridgetown Railway Station;

  • installation of solar panels and batteries to the Bridgetown Leisure Centre, Library and Civic Centre (finalisation and delivery of the Concept and Planning Phase delivered in the 2023 Partnering for the Future program); and

  • installation of air conditioning and audio visual equipment in the Bridgetown Town Hall.

A component of the funding will be used for Project Management which ensures the Shire has the capacity and resources to deliver the Partnering for the Future 2024 initiatives.

The Partnering for the Future program is funded through the Talison Community Investment Program (CIP), which was introduced in 2023 and provides larger investment opportunities for local government and community organisations to deliver strategic projects across the categories of quality education, sustainable environments and biodiversity improvements, health and wellbeing and vibrant and sustaining communities.

Incorporated not for profit community groups, local government, education and training providers in the Warren-Blackwood area and surrounds that have ideas for projects which may fit the criteria for funding under the Talison CIP are encouraged to contact our Community Team via email: gbcontact@talisonlithium.com.

 

2023 Mine Open Day

On Saturday, 7th October more than 400 people boarded buses for guided tours of our Greenbushes Lithium Operation, along with hundreds more who stopped by Thomson Park which was transformed into a mini fairground for the day.  The Greenbushes District Hall and Thomson park was filled with family-friendly activities, live music, informative stands, face painting, food trucks, and stalls. The event also showcased impressive machinery displays from our contractors and even featured a truck simulator.

 

At Talison, we take immense pride in the important role our Greenbushes Lithium Operation plays in the global shift towards cleaner energy. We were delighted to share the significance of what we do with attendees and offer a firsthand glimpse into the work we do each day, particularly in our mining, processing, and environmental areas.

 

We also took the opportunity to share our growth plans with the community and show how they are designed to meet current and future demands of the global energy transition, and emphasize our ongoing commitment to support the community where we operate. This not only fills us with pride but also opens numerous opportunities for our community. Together, we are shaping a sustainable future, and Greenbushes continues to shine brightly on the global clean energy map.

Thank you to all who attended our 2023 Mine Open Day!

Unveiling Our Inaugural Sustainability Report: Leading in Lithium for a Sustainable Future

Talison are proud to announce the release of its very first Sustainability Report. The 2022 Sustainability Report represents a significant milestone in our management of sustainability practices and performance.

Talison Chief Executive Officer, Lorry Mignacca, believes the Report demonstrates Talison’s unwavering commitment to a more sustainable future.

"We are committed to continuously improving the sustainability of our operations and collaboration with stakeholders as we expand and strive to make a meaningful contribution to environmental preservation, social well-being, and responsible governance,” said Mr Mignacca.

“As the leading producer of lithium in the world for several decades, and with the ability to increase our production further, we believe that the work we do each day contributes to creating a better tomorrow.

“To improve the sustainability of our operations it is critical we mitigate our impact as much as possible through assessment, action and measurement. This process is important so that we can be held accountable for the impacts we have and the actions we take to improve our sustainability.

“This Report is a testament to our values – responsibility, transparency, and a deep sense of purpose. It shares our progress in reducing our environmental footprint, fostering diversity and inclusion, and supporting our local communities. It also sets the stage for future sustainability initiatives as we continue this transformative journey.”

Click here view the 2022 Talison Lithium Sustainability Report.