International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) 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.
This follows the successful commissioning in September 2022 of the pilot micronising and spheroidising plant.
IG6’s new qualification plant is a significant piece of equipment capable of producing between 100 and 200 tonnes per annum (tpa) 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 IG6; 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.
Delivery scheduled for mid-2023
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.
IG6 is targeting commercial process equipment capable of a nominal production rate of 3,000 tpa to be established in a new facility in Collie.
The commercial scale equipment is an expansion of the qualification equipment.
Wide range of industrial applications
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.
“Another key milestone”
IG6 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.”