International Graphite Secures $4.5M to Build WA’s First Graphite Micronising Plant
International Graphite advances its vision of a fully integrated graphite supply chain in Western Australia, securing significant government funding and delivering promising drilling and testwork results at its Springdale project.
- Secured $4.5 million WA Government funding for Collie micronising plant construction
- Two mining leases granted covering 100% of Springdale’s mineral resource
- Drilling confirms high-grade, continuous graphite mineralisation at Springdale Central
- Successful anode testwork validates Springdale concentrates for battery applications
- Additional $6 million in government grants awarded post-quarter to fast-track project integration
A Milestone in Australian Graphite Production
International Graphite (ASX:IG6) has taken a significant step forward in establishing Western Australia’s first vertically integrated graphite supply chain, aimed at servicing global industrial and battery markets. The company announced the signing of a $4.5 million funding agreement with the Western Australian Government to support construction of Australia’s first commercial graphite micronising plant at Collie.
This funding, part of the Collie Industrial Transition Fund, will underpin the initial stage of a facility designed to produce approximately 3,000 tonnes per annum of micronised graphite, a critical material for lithium-ion battery anodes and various industrial applications. The plant’s construction is expected to commence following the near completion of a Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) study.
Springdale Project: Resource and Exploration Progress
Complementing the downstream processing ambitions, International Graphite has secured two mining leases at its Springdale Graphite Project, covering nearly 100% of the existing mineral resource. Recent diamond drilling at the Springdale Central deposit has revealed additional high-grade, thick, and near-surface graphite mineralisation, reinforcing the project’s potential as a low-cost, tier-one jurisdiction mining operation.
The Springdale resource remains open for expansion, with only 25% of identified graphite targets drilled to date across the company’s 460 square kilometre landholding. This leaves considerable upside potential for resource growth, a critical factor as demand for battery-grade graphite intensifies globally.
Advancing Battery Anode Material Capabilities
Testwork on Springdale graphite concentrates has yielded exceptional results, with micronising and spheroidising processes producing high-purity graphite products that exceed industry benchmarks for battery anode materials. Purification achieved 99.99% total graphitic carbon (TGC), confirming the suitability of Springdale concentrates for advanced battery applications.
Following the quarter, International Graphite secured an additional $4 million grant from the WA Investment Attraction Fund to fast-track integration between Springdale and Collie, including trial mining and installation of Australia’s first graphite spheroidiser at Collie. A further $2 million grant was awarded to support feasibility studies for downstream battery anode manufacturing.
Financial Position and Market Engagement
The company reported a stable financial position with $1.46 million in cash at quarter-end and ongoing government funding commitments totaling $17.2 million, of which $12.2 million remains undrawn. International Graphite continues to engage actively with investors and industry stakeholders, highlighted by participation in major events such as Benchmark Week 2024 in Los Angeles and IMARC 2024 in Sydney.
International Graphite’s vertically integrated strategy from mine to market positions it uniquely within Australia’s critical minerals sector, aligning with government priorities on sovereign supply chains and the energy transition.
Bottom Line?
With robust government backing and promising resource developments, International Graphite is poised to become a cornerstone of Australia’s battery materials industry.
Questions in the middle?
- How will International Graphite manage the scaling from pilot to commercial micronising capacity amid market fluctuations?
- What are the timelines and regulatory hurdles for full commercial production at Springdale and Collie?
- How might global graphite supply dynamics, especially from China, impact International Graphite’s export opportunities?
