International Graphite advances Australia-Europe processing strategy in March quarter Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock

International Graphite Ltd has reported progress across its downstream graphite strategy, with key work advancing at planned processing hubs in Western Australia and Europe during the March quarter.

Highlights

IG6 / Alkeemia Joint Venture – MoU to develop a graphite processing hub at Alkeemia’s Porto Marghera chemical site, in Italy. Successful purification testwork – Alkeemia’s purification testwork achieved above benchmark standards for high purity expandable and micronised graphite on a variety of graphite concentrates, including from Springdale. Expandable Graphite Project – Studies are progressing for process development and cost estimation and are due for completion in June. Collie Micronising Facility, Western Australia – Project designs have been completed and shire building permits progressed. Micronising equipment has been ordered and vendor testwork for jet milling equipment is underway. Aidan Nania – Appointed to the IG6 board.

Operational highlights

The company signed an MoU with Italian chemical manufacturer Alkeemia S.p.A. to establish a graphite processing hub at Porto Marghera, near Venice. The proposed joint venture would target initial production of around 10,000 tonnes per annum of processed graphite products from late 2027.

Alkeemia’s purification testwork also exceeded benchmark standards, with 7 concentrate samples, including material from International Graphite’s Springdale project, achieving above 99.9% total graphitic carbon.

“This initiative allows us to leverage our integrated HF production and proprietary graphite purification capability to move decisively into graphite processing and advanced materials, building on strong technical and operational synergies," Alkeemia CEO Lorenzo Di Donato said.

“Together with International Graphite, we are establishing a scalable and competitive European platform for high-specification graphite production, enabling greater security of supply for European industry.”

Designs completed at Collie

At Collie in Western Australia, designs for the company’s micronising facility were completed, building approvals progressed and micronising equipment was ordered. The facility is planned as Australia’s first commercial-scale micronised graphite plant, with initial capacity of 4,000 tonnes per annum and a pathway to about 7,500 tonnes.

International Graphite also continued supplying product from its Collie qualification plant to customers for testing and validation, while jet milling equipment selection work progressed.

Springdale feedstock supports downstream plans

The Springdale Graphite Project remains a long-term feedstock option for the company’s processing facilities, although the next stage of resource, exploration and hydrological drilling has been deferred while International Graphite focuses on Collie and Porto Marghera.

Story Continues

Industrial graphite processing is first and primary focus in building the mine-to-market supply chain.

What’s next

Key near-term work includes completing expandable graphite process development and cost estimation studies, finalising design and cost estimates for the Alkeemia joint venture, advancing sales and distribution discussions in Europe, and progressing construction readiness at Collie.

The company ended the quarter with $1.1 million in cash.

View Comments