International Graphite Limited: Micronising qualification plant ordered for Collie
HIGHLIGHTS
- Micronising product qualification scale plant ordered for Collie facility
- Micronising of graphite is the first step in the production of battery anode material (BAM)
- Plans are to successfully produce micronised products for customer acceptance testing prior to installation of a commercial scale facility
- Sale of micronised products will provide an income stream prior to sale of BAM
24 November 2022 - Following the successful commissioning in September 2022 of the pilot micronising and spheroidising plant, International Graphite Limited (ASX: IG6) is pleased to announce that it has taken a further step towards becoming a commercial producer of graphite end products by ordering a micronising qualification scale plant to be installed at its downstream processing facilities in Collie, Western Australia.
The new qualification plant is a significant piece of equipment capable of producing between 100 and 200tpa of graphite micronised products, depending on product size, when operated on a continuous basis.
This qualification scale equipment aims to demonstrate the Company’s ability to produce micronised graphite products at the level of quality control necessary to secure customer sales agreements for these products and ultimately support a commitment to expand to commercial scale facilities.
Micronising graphite concentrates is also a critical first step in the production of purified and coated spheroidised graphite for battery anode materials production. As such, the plan to produce micronised graphite products serves two purposes for the Company; firstly, it will provide the required technical competence in the first step of production of battery anode material (BAM), and secondly, it will provide a potential income stream from the sale of specialised micronised products prior to the planned sale of BAM.
The equipment is being sourced from a North American supplier -- a world-renowned engineering house specialising in milling systems. Delivery to Collie is scheduled for mid-2023 with installation and commissioning expected to take three months.
The qualification scale equipment is the next step towards a commitment to build and operate a commercial scale micronising facility in Collie.
The Company is targeting commercial process equipment capable of a nominal production rate of 3,000tpa to be established in a new facility in Collie. The commercial scale equipment is an expansion of the qualification equipment. Product from the qualification plant is expected to be to the same specifications as will be achieved from the commercial scale plant.
Commercial operations would initially treat third party graphite concentrates, with the goal of processing concentrates from the Company’s 100% owned Springdale Graphite project once the Springdale project is developed.
Purified micronised graphite can be sold as a conductive additive to battery cathodes, as an intermediate product used in the production of purified spheroidised graphite, or in a wide range of industrial applications.
Chairman Phil Hearse said, “This is another key milestone in our development to be an Australian graphite products manufacturer. Prospective customers will be provided with graphite product from this plant for qualification. Development of an industrial graphite market will complement our plans to establish a vertically integrated battery anode material industry in Western Australia.”
International Graphite continues down the development path for its Springdale project to produce concentrate as feedstock for future battery anode production in Collie.
This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Directors of International Graphite Limited.
Phil Hearse
Executive Chairman
For more information please contact:
Robert Hodby
CFO/Company Secretary
+61 407 770 183
Marie Howarth
Media & Communication
+61 412 111 962
About International Graphite
International Graphite is an emerging supplier of processed graphite products, including battery anode material, for the global electric vehicle and renewable energy markets.
The Company is developing a sovereign Australian ‘mine to market’ capability, with integrated operations wholly located in Western Australia. The Company intends to build on Australia’s reputation for technical excellence and outstanding ESG performance with future mining and graphite concentrate production from its 100% owned Springdale Graphite Project and commercial scale downstream processing at Collie. International Graphite is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: IG6) and Tradegate and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FWB: H99, WKN: A3DJY5) and is a member of the European Battery Alliance (EBA250) and European Raw Minerals Alliance (ERMA).
