Southern Cross Electrical Engineering (SCEE) says it has been awarded the electrical and instrumentation (E&I) works contract at the new Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing plant near Bunbury, Western Australia.

The Kemerton processing plant, owned 60% by Albemarle Corp through the MARBL lithium joint venture, will initially comprise of two trains, each with a production capacity of 25,000 t/y of lithium hydroxide. Production is scheduled to commence in 2021.

The award for SCEE is to deliver the full E&I scope for both the hydromet and pyromet sections of the plant with an approximate value of A$65 million ($44.8 million).

Engineering company Monadelphous Group is delivering the pyromet structural, mechanical and piping package of work, as well as associated piping fabrication for the plant.

SCEE’s work is due to commence around the end of the March quarter of 2020 and is due for completion in May 2021.

SCEE Managing Director, Graeme Dunn, said: “I am extremely pleased to announce such a major award in the resources sector’s growing lithium industry.”