Name of the Project
Vidalia natural graphite active anode material (AAM) facility.

Location
Vidalia, Louisiana, in the US.

Project Owner/s
Syrah Resources.

Project Description
A bankable feasibility study (BFS) has confirmed the strong business case for the expansion of the facility.

The facility can produce 5 000 t/y of unpurified spherical graphite and 200 t/y of purified spherical graphite to battery specification. The installation of a furnace in the first quarter of 2021 will enable it to produce 200 t/y of natural graphite AAM, and will represent the furthest progressed, vertically integrated production of natural graphite AAM ex-China globally.

The BFS confirms that 10 000 t/y of AAM production can be achieved through the expansion of the existing plant and infrastructure within Syrah’s existing

10 ha industrial site. The BFS includes a review of effluent discharge plans to ensure large-scale AAM production on site will comply with all regulatory requirements.

Syrah has also assessed a larger-scale 40 000 t/y plant.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The 10 000 t/y facility will cost about $138-million and the proposed 40 000 t/y facility $477-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Given the strong economics of large-scale AAM production at Vidalia implied by the BFS, Syrah is continuing with front-end engineering design (FEED) for the initial 10 000 t/y facility, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2021.

Commitment to a detailed design phase will be required after completion of the FEED to maintain the continuity of the project. The project development pathway beyond detailed design will be informed bystrategic and/or financial partnerships and end-customer commitments.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Syrah Resources, tel +61 3 9670 7264 or email enquiries@syrahresources.com.au.