The Environment Protection Authority of Victoria (EPA) has granted approval for construction of a lead acid battery recycling plant in Hazelwood North region in Australia.
The lead battery recycling plant will be set up by China-based company Chunxing. The plant will have a capacity to process 50,000mt of used lead acid batteries and manufacture 28,000mt of refined lead each year.
Chunxing had submitted the plan with the Authority last year. The approval for setting up the lead recycling plant came through after a period of 10 months of public consultation and assessment of the application and research, said the EPA. The EPA has received around 170 public submissions about the project, many from community members expressing their opposition to setting up the plant.
There are certain conditions listed by the EPA including the provision of the final detailed design for the recycling plant to ensure it meets the strict emissions specifications required by the Works Approval, a full risk management plan and ongoing engagement with the community.