Name of the Project
EcoGraf battery anode material (BAM) facility.

Location
Perth’s Kwinana industrial strip, in Western Australia.

Project Owner/s
EcoGraf, formerly Kibaran Resources.

Project Description
The project will import natural flake graphite from existing producers and convert it into battery (spherical) graphite using EcoGraf’s patented, environment-friendly EcoGraf process.

The project will be completed in phases: Phase 1 involves the production of 5 000 t/y of spherical graphite and Phase 2 involves the expansion of production to 20 000 t/y.

Potential Job Creation
The project is expected to employ more than 250 construction workers and 65 jobs in the operational stage.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a pretax net present value of $141-million and an internal rate of return of 36.6%.

Capital Expenditure
The project has a forecast upfront capital cost of $22.8-million for an initial 5 000 t/y operation, followed by a further $49.2-million to expand production to 20 000 t/y of battery graphite.

Planned Start/End Date
The company expects to make a final investment decision on the project early next year, with first production scheduled for early 2021.

Latest Developments
EcoGraf has produced its first GreenRECARB products as part of its global product development programme for the new EcoGraf BAM facility.

GreenRECARB is a recarburiser additive used in electric arc and induction furnace steel-manufacturing processes, with the products achieving specifications required for use as an environmentally superior replacement for petroleum coke furnace additives by global steel manufacturers.

The BAM facility will eventually manufacture spherical graphite products for export to Asia, Europe and North America using an HFfree purification technology to provide customers with sustainably produced high-performance battery anode material.

Subsequently, the battery graphite production base will be expanded to include additional processing facilities in Europe and North America to support the global transition to clean, renewable energy in the coming decade and the rapid growth in battery materials.

To complement its battery graphite operations, EcoGraf is also advancing its Epanko graphite project, in Tanzania, which will supply additional feedstock to the battery anode material facilities and provide customers with a long-term supply of high-quality graphite products for industrial applications such as refractories, recarburisers and lubricants.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
GR Engineering (engineering, procurement and construction contract).

Contact Details for Project Information
EcoGraf, tel +61 8 6424 9000 or email info@ecograf.com.au.