International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) has attracted yet more attention and investment from the Western Australian Government, drawing a grant of $6.5 million to advance its plans for downstream graphite operations at its site in Collie, Western Australia.
The grant was awarded by WA Premier Roger Cook at IG6’s Collie Industry Transition Expo on-site on April 20, bringing the company’s total funding from the WA Government’s Collie Just Transition Program to $8.5 million.
IG6 intends to build Australia’s first downstream graphite processing plant at Collie, with designs for a 4,000 tonnes per year commercial-scale graphite micronising operation – a vital step in establishing sovereign Australian access to battery-grade graphite production.
Read: International Graphite spearheads domestic graphite processing with new micronising plant in Collie, WA
"My Government is positioning WA as a global clean energy powerhouse and today's announcement confirms that Collie will be front and centre of that plan,” Premier Roger Cook said.
"Global demand for battery materials is soaring and Collie will be home to a nation-leading battery materials production facility – ensuring the town remains a vital part of our energy future.
"Importantly, this project will create quality, long-term industrial jobs in the heart of Collie, helping to diversify the local economy and supporting the town's transition away from coal.
"We're backing Collie's future, creating local jobs and delivering a strong economy for generations to come."
Building Australia’s clean energy future
“We are thrilled by the support and leadership the Western Australian Government is providing to our emerging critical minerals industry and proud of their confidence in us to deliver real benefits for Collie and the State,” International Graphite chair Phil Hearse said.
“The grants are designed to encourage innovation in three areas – green manufacturing, minerals processing, and energy-intensive or future clean energy initiatives.
“International Graphite’s operations support all three, making our project an extremely good fit with the Government’s priorities for the industry and the region.”
International Graphite is planning to create an advanced battery anode material supply chain on Australian shores, using graphite concentrates from third parties initially, and then its flagship Springdale Graphite Project – the second-largest graphite deposit in Australia, holding 49.3 million tonnes at 6.5% total graphitic carbon.
IG6 intends to produce concentrates critical for both the cathodes of lithium-ion batteries and battery anode material for battery-powered technologies, particularly electric vehicles and green energy storage.
Read: International Graphite’s Springdale tests demonstrate ideal suitability for lithium-ion batteries
Micronisied graphite is also used in a staggering array of industrial products, from lubricants, polymers, plastics and ceramics, to lightweight structural materials and fire resistant building materials.
The company expects to reach a formal grant funding agreement within the coming weeks.