Bulk graphite testwork at Springdale bolsters feasibility studies

International Graphite has entered the next phase of metallurgical testing of ore samples from its Springdale Graphite project in WA, with more than 1.5 tonnes of material currently undergoing laboratory assessment.

ALS Metallurgy’s pilot concentrate production facilities are expected to produce around 100kg of graphite concentrate from the sample material.

International Graphite (ASX:IG6) director and chief technical officer David Pass said the company was rapidly progressing technical assessment for its proposed open cut mine at Springdale – with a target for feasibility study completion by mid-2024.

“Results from the bulk testwork will add important data to our Springdale concentrator plant design,” he said.

“Preliminary testing has already shown that the Springdale graphite is well suited for battery anode material (BAM).

“The concentrates produced at ALS will be available for further BAM testwork including at our own Collie BAM R&D facility.”

Revised mineral resource estimate planned

The bulk ore samples include material taken from within the existing Springdale Mineral Resource and from recent graphite discoveries at Springdale Central and Masons Bay – two of four new graphite finds identified during an extensive reverse circulation drilling program the company has completed at the project in the past 12 months.

“We are very pleased with the progress we have made at Springdale,” Pass said.

Final assays from the Springdale 2022/2023 drilling campaign are expected to be completed by the end of this month (July 2023) with a revised mineral resource estimate for Springdale to follow.

Mine-to-market supply chain the ultimate goal

As an emerging supplier of processed graphite products, including battery anode material, for the global electric vehicle and renewable energy markets, the company is developing a sovereign Australian ‘mine to market’ capability, with integrated operations wholly located in Western Australia.

The plan is to build on Australia’s reputation for technical excellence and outstanding ESG performance with future mining and graphite concentrate production from the Springdale Graphite Project and commercial scale downstream processing at Collie.

“We are working to establish Springdale as a long term, stable and consistent supplier of high quality graphite concentrates for BAM processing,” Pass said.

“It is at the core of our vision for a ‘mine-to-market’ graphite supply chain in Western Australia that will meet the needs of high growth energy markets.”

This article was developed in collaboration with International Graphite, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.