In an important step forward for its planned integrated graphite value chain, International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) has selected a site just 5 kilometres northeast of Collie, Western Australia, for a proposed battery anode material manufacturing plant.
The company has already secured a non-binding MoU to negotiate for the site lease, which includes about 20 hectares of privately owned land in the Coolangatta industrial precinct.
Importantly, the site has sufficient open space to accommodate the potential installation of a solar power facility.
A renewable power generation option would complement IG6’s MoU with Zen Energy, led by climate change economist Professor Ross Garnaut, which is assessing the feasibility of building a 200-megawatt, 600 to 800 megawatt/hour battery at Collie.
Immediate access to infrastructure
IG6 managing director and CEO Andrew Worland said securing the Collie site was a significant milestone in the development of the proposed Collie Graphite BAM Facility.
"The land is cleared, well served by sealed roads and civil infrastructure, with ample space to accommodate our initial design and future expansion plans,” Worland said.
“Most importantly, it is only metres from the existing power network which gives us the opportunity to purchase energy at the lowest possible transmission cost.”
IG6 is targeting a lease period of 20 years in its negotiations, with a further 20-year extension available, which may be exercised at any time within a two-year period.
The town of Collie is also at the heart of the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), WA’s main power generation system.
Importantly, the Western Australian Government recently announced it would install one of the world’s biggest batteries at Collie, to be operational by 2025.
The company expects energy source options will continue to evolve within the SWIS as renewable energy industries and offerings expand in the region.