Australian firm partners with Indian power company to develop India's first lithium refinery

Australian mining company Neometals has entered into a deal with Indian power conglomerate Manikaran Power to jointly fund a feasibility study to set up India's first lithium refinery.

The refinery, if established, would process ore from the Mount Marion mine in Western Australia to produce battery-grade material for electric cars.

The two companies have agreed to contribute their respective skills, resources and know-how towards achieving a positive outcome from the evaluation activities and to share costs equally, a Neometals company statement said.

Neometals Managing Director Chris Reed said, "Neometals and Manikaran hold a common belief in the future demand for lithium driven by the electrification of transport and storage of renewable energy."