ASX-listed Tivan has been awarded a A$7.4-million cash grant under the Australian government’s International Partnerships in Critical Minerals (IPCM) programme for its Speewah fluorite project in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
The IPCM supports early- to mid-stage critical minerals projects that contribute to the development of end-to-end supply chains with Australia’s international partners. Tivan’s successful application included plans for the feasibility and definitive feasibility studies for Speewah, aligned with the programme’s eligibility criteria.
The Speewah project aims to produce acid-grade fluorspar, a critical material used in semiconductor manufacturing and electric vehicle batteries. Australia currently has no domestic production of fluorspar, which was added to the nation’s Critical Minerals List in December 2023.
Tivan’s strategic partnership with Sumitomo Corporation, a major Japanese trading house, played a key role in securing the grant.
Sumitomo has signed a strategic alliance agreement with Tivan and provided a letter of support for the IPCM application. The alliance lays the groundwork for a joint venture (JV) to develop, finance, and operate the Speewah project.
The grant funding will be matched by Tivan, either directly or through the JV, and will be allocated to activities including engineering, mine design, hydrology, environmental studies, and exploration drilling in support of the feasibility studies. Tivan is targeting a final investment decision in the first quarter of 2026, with first production scheduled for 2027.
