International Graphite progresses development at Springdale with comprehensive feasibility studies
International Graphite (ASX: IG6) is making solid progress on feasibility studies to advance the development of its integrated processing operations at Springdale in Western Australia.
The company is midway through a 10-hole diamond drilling program at the site of the proposed mine.
The data will be applied to geotechnical studies for mine planning, waste characterisation, resource classification and to complete metallurgical test work to inform process design criteria for the graphite concentrator.
Processing test work
Battery anode processing test work on Springdale concentrates is also continuing at a number of specialised overseas facilities.
The comprehensive program includes spheroidisation optimisation, leach purification option evaluations, production of purified and unpurified spherical graphite samples for third-party assessment and further electrochemical studies.
Springdale flora and fauna reports from seasonal surveys in 2022 and 2023 have confirmed that the mine operations will have little impact on natural vegetation or wildlife.
Additional studies, including hydrological and tailings storage assessments, are underway to support environmental approvals and permitting.
Micronising plant
At Collie — which will be the centre of International Graphite’s downstream processing operations — various flake product sizes have been produced using a micronising qualification plant commissioned earlier this year.
The distribution sizes are suitable for advanced battery anode materials and other industrial applications.
The company is planning to make product samples available for potential customers to conduct qualification and acceptance assessments.
International Graphite selected the micronising path to initially develop a customer base, gain operating experience, build markets for future by-products and generate cash flow.
It plans to make a final investment decision for a 4,000-tonnes-per-annum commercial-scale micronising facility before year-end.
Graphite demand
Managing director Andrew Worland said global and geopolitical pressures on lithium-ion battery manufacturers and industrial end users were continuing to build demand for graphite from markets including Australia.
“The once-in-a-generation growth in battery and vehicle manufacturing capacity that North America, Europe and Asia have committed to developing depends on supply from mines like Springdale that will offer unparalleled supply chain certainty,” he said.