EcoGraf Ltd (ASX:EGR) (FRA:FMK) (OTCMKTS:ECGFF) has appointed experienced project manager Shaun O’Neill to the position of executive manager - project development.
O’Neill will be responsible for the construction of the EcoGraf™HFfree 20,000 tonnes per annum battery anode material facility in Western Australia.
Notably, the development will be the first facility outside of Asia to manufacture high quality, sustainably produced battery anode material for the global lithium-ion battery market and the first facility in Australia to value-add a battery mineral.
“Local knowledge is a significant benefit”
EcoGraf managing director Andrew Spinks said: “Securing someone of Shaun’s calibre and extensive experience is timely and this is a key executive appointment to our management team for the construction of our Australian battery anode material facility.
“Shaun’s local knowledge of the Kwinana-Rockingham Industrial Area is a significant benefit as the area is set to become a key mineral processing centre in the global supply chain for lithium-ion battery materials.”
Experience and qualification
O’Neill is a Perth-based qualified metallurgist with over 23 years of industry experience in operations, project management and commissioning across a broad range of commodities, including battery and critical minerals.
During his career, O’Neill has been involved in several battery mineral developments, with both construction and operational experience in the Kwinana-Rockingham Industrial Area, where he was the project manager for Tianqi Lithium’s lithium hydroxide processing plant and also worked at the BHP Billiton Nickel West Refinery.
Prior roles include working for BHP Billiton while commissioning the $3.5 billion Worsley-Alumina expansion and the $3.4 billion Ravensthorpe Nickel Project.