International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) has been granted mining lease M74/0252 by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety in WA, which marks a significant step in the permitting process for its Springdale Graphite Project.
The lease covers the Mason Bay deposit within the wholly owned Springdale project, located between Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun on Western Australia's south coast.
A second lease, M74/0252, which covers the Springdale Central deposits, is pending.
Minimal environmental impact
Environmental assessments, incorporating flora and fauna mapping, have been finalised, with survey results showing the project area is pre-cleared for agricultural use. As a result, the proposed mining activities are projected to have minimal impact on existing natural vegetation and wildlife.
In the third quarter of this year, a LiDAR drone survey was conducted to aid hydrological assessments, with further drilling planned for early 2025.
Springdale boasts the second largest graphite resource in Australia, holding a mineral resource estimate of 49.3 million tonnes at 6.5% total graphitic carbon.
IG6 is advancing its efforts to optimise flowsheet design and maximise graphite concentrate yield, as part of a Definitive Feasibility Study for the planned Springdale mine.
Metallurgical test work with graphite specialists ProGraphite GmbH successfully produced two high-purity spherical graphite products, SpG11 and SpG18, both of which exceed industry standards for battery anode materials with a graphite purity of 99.99%, surpassing the typical 99.97% benchmark.
These trials achieved yields of up to 76%, highlighting Springdale’s suitability for the growing lithium-ion battery anode sector and underscoring IG6’s commitment to a mine-to-market production strategy.