Garnet Hills Delivers Large Flake Graphite Averaging 200 Microns

• Large to jumbo flake graphite (~200 µm average, up to >300 µm) confirmed
• Graphite is clean and inclusion-free, enhancing processing potential
• Higher metamorphic grade setting supports coarser flake development
• Project aligns with Pure’s US-focused thermal management and defense strategies
• Mining lease secured until 2038 with strong infrastructure access

Premium Graphite Confirmed at Surface

Pure Resources Limited has announced compelling petrographic results from its Garnet Hills Garnet and Graphite Project in Western Australia, confirming the presence of large to jumbo flake graphite. The typical flake size averages around 200 micrometres, with some flakes exceeding 300 micrometres, classifying them as jumbo flakes. This size range is significant because larger graphite flakes generally command premium prices due to their versatility and higher performance in industrial applications.

Importantly, the graphite flakes are reported to be clean and free from mineral inclusions, which bodes well for beneficiation and processing efficiency. Only about 5% of the flakes are smaller than 45 micrometres, a stark contrast to regional analogues where fine flakes dominate. This purity and flake size profile position Garnet Hills as a potentially high-value source of graphite.

Geological Setting Enhances Quality

The project’s geological context further enhances its appeal. Garnet Hills lies within a higher metamorphic grade terrane, granulite facies, compared to nearby projects like McIntosh, which sits in amphibolite facies. This higher-grade metamorphism is conducive to the development of coarser graphite flakes, a factor that likely contributes to the jumbo flake sizes observed. The host rocks are quartz–feldspar–sillimanite paragneiss, stable under these conditions, and the graphite shows minimal oxidation or alteration, indicating excellent preservation.

Strategic Alignment with US Downstream Initiatives

Pure Resources is actively pursuing a US-focused downstream strategy, aiming to integrate Garnet Hills graphite into advanced thermal management and defense applications. The confirmed graphite quality aligns well with these ambitions, supporting uses in heat sinks, data centre cooling, and defense-grade weapons cooling platforms. Collaborations with US institutions and Department of Energy-linked research programs provide a credible pathway to position Garnet Hills as a secure, ESG-aligned feedstock for high-specification industrial technologies.

The project benefits from a granted mining lease valid until 2038 and proximity to key infrastructure such as the Great Northern Highway and Wyndham Port, facilitating logistics and potential export. These factors collectively enhance the project’s development prospects.

Next Steps and Market Implications

While the petrographic results are promising, Pure Resources plans a substantial ~5,000-metre drilling campaign to verify and validate historical data and further define the resource. This step is critical to underpinning future resource estimates and advancing the project toward development. Investors will be watching closely for drilling outcomes and any updates on downstream integration efforts.

Bottom Line?

Garnet Hills’ premium jumbo flake graphite confirmation sets the stage for Pure Resources’ next growth phase, but drilling validation remains key.

Questions in the middle?

• How will upcoming drilling results impact resource confidence and project valuation?
• What timelines and milestones are expected for integrating Garnet Hills graphite into US downstream applications?
• How might evolving market demand for large flake graphite influence Pure’s development strategy?