Australian Vanadium (AVL) has received approval from the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) for its proposed vanadium processing plant.

In a filing, the company confirmed that the development application for the facility has been cleared.

The company called the move a “major step forward” in its strategy to develop a fully integrated vanadium supply chain in Australia.

The facility, located around 65km east of Geraldton, is a key part of the Australian Vanadium Project, which includes a mine, concentrator, and an already operational vanadium electrolyte manufacturing plant in Perth.

The Tenindewa facility will be instrumental in enabling AVL to produce vanadium products, manufacture electrolyte and support the deployment of vanadium flow batteries (VFBs) entirely within Western Australia (WA).

This initiative aligns with the Federal Government's Critical Minerals Strategy and Future Made in Australia plan, which aim to bolster the country's energy security and industrial capability.

The WAPC's decision came after a thorough assessment by the Significant Development Assessment Unit of the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, which recommended the project's approval with some conditions.

Australian Vanadium CEO Graham Arvidson said: “This is a landmark moment for AVL and a significant step forward in realising our vision of a homegrown, fully integrated vanadium value chain.”

“The Tenindewa processing facility will bring long-term economic and social benefits to the Midwest, including job creation, regional investment and new opportunities across the critical minerals and renewable energy sectors. With development approval now in place, AVL will progress secondary approvals, advance detailed engineering and continue project planning activities to support future investment and execution decisions.”

The project's components including the mine and concentrator at Gabanintha near Meekatharra and the processing plant at Tenindewa will collectively contribute to AVL's vision of a vertically integrated vanadium operation.

In January, the WA Government granted the Australian Vanadium Project green energy major project status, recognising its potential to unlock domestic vanadium production and support energy storage solutions.