- Kibaran Resources has updated the market on its eco-friendly battery graphite facility, EcoGraf
- Testwork has confirmed the effectiveness of the EcoGraf purification process with completion of the testing expected in late November
- The plant has already won the support of W.A. Premier Mark McGowan
- Kibaran Resources has gained 20.73 per cent on the ASX, with shares trading at 9.9 cents apiece
Kibaran Resources has updated the market on its eco-friendly battery graphite facility, EcoGraf.
EcoGraf is based in Kwinana, Western Australia, and will be importing natural flake graphite and turning it into battery graphite during a patented and sustainable production cycle.
The proposed development is expected to forecast up-front capital costs of approximately $33 million for an initial 5000 tonnes per annum, followed by a further $71 million, to expand production to 20,000 tonnes per annum.
Testwork has been undertaken as part of pre-development activities for the proposed facility and has confirmed positive results.
“The testwork results have confirmed the effectiveness of the EcoGraf proprietary purification process and the eco-friendly nature gave no adverse emissions,” the company stated.
The independent testwork on the EcoGraf purification process flow sheet is being managed by Kibaran’s engineering partner GR Engineering Services.
Results from the testwork have provided GR Engineering with the information to finalise the detailed design of the process flow sheet which includes waste streams and equipment specific design data.
Work remains ongoing to finalise the mass balance, process flows and quantification of wastewater volumes.
“Our proposed EcoGraf development is timely given the massive investment in Europe to support the transition towards electric vehicles which will require alternative and responsibly produced raw materials,” Managing Director Andrew Spinks said.
The completion of the testwork is expected in late November. Other pre-development technical activities underway include government approvals, equipment testing and final feedstock.
Kibaran remains on schedule to make a final investment decision for Kwinana in the first half of 2020.
Recently, the processing plant won the support of W.A. Premier Mark McGowan.
Kibaran Resources has gained 20.73 per cent on the Australian Securities Exchange, with shares trading for 9.9 cents apiece at 11:58 am AEDT.