[Ferro-Alloys.com] Australian Vanadium Limited (AVL) has appointed engineering group Primero Group to construct its vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility in Western Australia.

AVL was awarded a $3.69 million Federal Government grant in 2021,2 with part of the funding allocated to building and operating a commercial vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility in Western Australia, to support the commercialisation of VFBs.

AVL aims to produce vanadium electrolyte for commercial use in VFBs by November 2023 and is working on off-take agreements for the produced product.

AVL has also appointed experienced operations professional Simon Rough to safely manage the facility through construction and into production. Rough’s extensive experience in vanadium processing and sulphuric acid production makes him a perfect fit to lead the team to successful production of high-quality electrolyte.

AVL CEO, Graham Arvidson comments, “It is satisfying to see the progress being achieved by the team as AVL’s vanadium electrolyte manufacturing plant starts to take shape. Using USV’s proven electrolyte manufacturing technology, AVL aims to become a trusted supplier of vanadium electrolyte within Australia and beyond.

“We are pleased to have welcomed Simon onboard to manage the facility and work with the existing team, utilising in-house electrolyte knowledge and relationships that have been built with companies such as USV and VFB manufacturers.

The implementation of the electrolyte plant provides an ideal opportunity for AVL to put into practice, test and further mature its systems, processes and management systems that will ultimately underpin the larger Australian Vanadium Project.”

Rough has 20 years of processing and operational experience. He has safely led high performing teams in hydro and pyrometallurgical operations, vanadium processing and sulphuric acid production.

AVL holds the exclusive licence of USV’s process technology for manufacturing vanadium electrolyte for Australia and New Zealand. This technology has been used for the design of the vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility which is being built in the northern Perth suburb of Wangara.

Partnering with Primero Group, AVL has developed the facility design to comply with Australian standards and requirements.

Until production of vanadium oxides from AVL’s Midwest Processing Hub commences, vanadium oxide feedstock for the electrolyte facility will be sourced through AVL’s agreement with USV and third-party sources.

• [Editor:tianyawei]