Name of the Project
Skaland active anode materials plant (AAMP).

Location
Norway.

Project Owner/s
MRC.

Project Description
A prefeasibility study (PFS) has proposed the initial construction of an AMMP to produce up to 10 000 t/y of active anode material.

Production from Skaland will ramp up from 10 000 t/y in 2020 to 16 000 t/y in 2023 to supply module one of the AAMP.

The Skaland operation will have an initial process throughput of 37 000 t/y. The AAMP will then be expanded through two additional 20 000 t modules to process graphite concentrate from MRC’s Munglinup operations, in Australia.

Munglinup will have a process throughput of 400 000 t/y.

The Skaland and Munglinup operations will have a mine life of 15 years and 14 years respectively.

Each AAMP module comprises a micronisation and spheronisation subplant and a purification subplant.

The PFS considers two alternative methods of purification to produce active anode material for batteries in electric vehicle and stationary uses – a caustic roast process and a carbochlorination process.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The Skaland project has a pretax net present value (NPV), at a 7% discount rate, of $71-million. Munglinup has an NPV, at a 7% discount rate, of $186-million and an internal rate of return (IRR)of 42%, with a payback of 2.7 years.

The caustic roast process and carbochlorination process have delivered compelling economic outcomes, with the caustic process yielding an NPV, using a 7% discount rate, of $1.09-billion and an IRR of 67%. The carbochlorination process’s pretax NPV has been calculated at $1.19-billion and its IRR at 63%.

Capital Expenditure
Capital expenditure for the Skaland project is estimated at $21-million and for the Munglinup project $61-million.

Planned Start/End Date
The AAMP PFS proposes that Munglinup comes into production in 2025, with concentrate production ramping up from 14 200 t/y in 2025 to 45 000 t/y in 2026.

Latest Developments
MRC will raise A$10.6-million through a share placement and fully underwritten nonrenounceable rights issue to fund work at its Skaland graphite operation, in Norway, as well as its Tormin mineral sands project, in South Africa.

The funds will be used in part to continue the installation of a fourth-stage cleaner circuit at the Skaland operation, and for general working capital.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
MRC (Norway), tel +47778 59600.