International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) will significantly expand its downstream graphite R&D facility at Collie, after receiving construction works approval from the Western Australian Government, to install new graphite micronising equipment.
Equipment for construction is on its way from North America and is expected to arrive at Fremantle Port in a few weeks and be operatonal by late 2023.
IG6 has commissioned a 'qualification-scale' plant, which will be an upgrade from its earlier pilot processing plant - the first in Australia established in September 2022.
This new plant is tailored to process graphite concentrates and aims to generate a commercial micronised graphite product, which potential customers can assess for quality and performance.
The plant has a production capacity of 100 to 200 tonnes per annum of micronised graphite. Additionally, it serves to foster graphite operating and material handling expertise within the firm.
Test work at Collie.
A step forward
In March 2023, IG6 presented a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for a commercial micronising facility that could handle up to 4,000 tonnes per annum.
Managing director and CEO Andrew Worland said that the micronising operation was a step forward for International Graphite in its ambition to be Western Australia's premier producer of graphite battery anode materials (BAM) for the expanding lithium-ion battery industry.
Micronising pilot samples.
“Micronised graphite is a by-product of the micronising and spheroidising process used in the production of BAM and contributes to the economics of BAM production,” Worland said.
“A commercial scale micronising facility would help establish markets for future micronised by-products that would be produced from our planned Collie Graphite BAM Facility which would treat graphite concentrates produced from our 100%-owned Springdale Graphite Project, near Hopetoun in Western Australia.”
The qualification plant will also facilitate test work on graphite concentrates sourced from Springdale. Furthermore, it will contribute to the research, development and market qualification of the Springdale graphite material.