Liontown officially opened its flagship Kathleen Valley Lithium Operation on Thursday 10 July 2025, marking a significant milestone in Australia’s critical minerals journey. The Official Opening, held not long after the commencement of underground production, celebrated the rapid and responsible development of our world-class asset, operation and partnerships.

Guests, including Federal Minister for Resources Madeleine King and Western Australia’s Minister for Mines and Petroleum David Michael, joined Liontown board members and executives, representatives from key partners, Traditional Owners and customers bright and early to embark on the short one-hour flight to Kathleen Valley.

Arriving at the iconic Dragonfly Village, the event began with a Welcome to Country and kind words by senior Tjiwarl member and Bundarra Contracting Managing Director Brett Lewis, followed by speeches from Liontown Chair Tim Goyder, Managing Director and CEO Tony Ottaviano, Minister King and Minister Michael. A commemorative plaque was unveiled, formally marking the opening of Kathleen Valley.

In just under six years, Liontown has taken Kathleen Valley from discovery to production, an achievement far beyond the 15+ year global average. Ramping to an initial 2.8Mtpa, with preparations already made for a 4Mtpa expansion in the future, the operation is Australia’s first underground lithium mine and home to one of the country’s largest off-grid hybrid renewable power stations.

“The road to net zero is built through Australia’s resources and the Kathleen Valley operation is a perfect example of that,” expressed Minister King. “Kathleen Valley is also setting benchmarks in sustainable mining with renewable energy meeting 80% of the mine’s energy needs,” she added.

Guests were then taken on a guided tour of the world-class operation, including a visit to Kathleen’s Corner Open Pit, which is on schedule to be complete by early 2026, and the Mt Mann Box Cut, where the ramp-up of underground production is well underway.

“For me personally, the commissioning of the Kathleen Valley Lithium Operation represents a special milestone in my career,” said Tim Goyder. “As someone who has lived and breathed mining and mineral exploration for the better part of 50 years, I can tell you finding an opportunity like Kathleen Valley doesn’t happen often.”

At the process plant, guests learned about the plant’s fourth-generation modern and unique design and saw up close the Kathleen Valley spodumene concentrate, ready to support the world’s transition to a low-carbon future. They also visited the 95MW hybrid power station and renewable infrastructure, witnessing its impressive scale.

Tony Ottaviano shared with those present, “The Kathleen Valley Lithium Operation aligns with the national interest: it supports the energy transition, creates high-value and well-paid regional jobs, and is strategically positioned to strengthen supply chains in the west through our Korean and US offtake customers—everything our national critical minerals strategy is designed to achieve.”

Minister Michael highlighted the significance of the project for the State and acknowledged the strength of the relationship between Liontown and the Tjiwarl Traditional Owners. “I would like to congratulate Liontown on opening the landmark Kathleen Valley Lithium Project, which is attracting skilled workers and strengthening local development,” he said.

While the Official Opening marked a major achievement for our company, Kathleen Valley’s role in supporting the energy transition is just getting underway.

“Today is an important milestone,” Tony Ottaviano shared, “but when it comes to realising the full value of Kathleen Valley, we are only getting started.”