International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) is rapidly progressing feasibility studies to advance development of integrated graphite processing operations in Western Australia while a 10-hole diamond drilling program is underway at its 100%-owned Springdale Graphite Project.
IG6 is developing its mine-to-market capability, across its integrated operations in Western Australia.
The drilling results from Springdale will provide important data for geotechnical studies required for mine planning, waste characterisation and resource classification.
Drilling will also provide sample material for further metallurgical test work that will be used to inform process design criteria for the graphite concentrator.
Managing director and CEO Andrew Worland said global pressures on both lithium-ion battery manufacturers and industrial graphite end users, including geopolitical pressures, were continuing to build demand for graphite from markets such as Australia.
“The once-in-a-generation growth in battery and vehicle manufacturing capacity that North America, Europe and Asia have committed to developing, depend on supply from mines like Springdale that will offer unparallelled supply chain certainty,” Worland said.
Battery anode processing tests
IG6 says that battery anode processing test work on Springdale concentrates is also continuing.
The comprehensive program, being undertaken at a number of specialised overseas testing facilities, includes spheroidisation optimisation, leach purification option evaluations, production of purified and unpurified spherical graphite samples for third-party evaluation and coating options, and further electrochemical studies.
Flora and fauna reports for Springdale from seasonal surveys completed in 2022 and 2023 confirm that the mine would have little impact on natural vegetation or wildlife. Additional studies are underway to support environmental approvals and permitting, including hydrological and tailings storage assessments.
At Collie, the centre of the company’s downstream processing operations, various flake product sizes have been successfully produced using the micronising qualification plant commissioned earlier this year.
The products meet a range of technical specifications for end users. Critically, flake size distributions produced are suitable for advanced battery anode materials and other industrial applications.
IG6 plans for product samples to be made available for potential customers to conduct qualification and acceptance assessment.
Final investment decision approaches
The company plans to make a final investment decision for the 4,000 tonnes per annum commercial scale micronising facility in Collie in the upcoming third quarter.
This aligns with existing commitments associated with funding support provided by the Western Australian Government of $6.5 million and the Australian Federal Government of $4.7 million.
Expected to be Australia’s first purpose-built graphite processing facility, the plant will significantly increase the nation’s sovereign supply of critical battery materials.
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