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| International Graphite |
FEED Study Highlights Robust Financial Outlook for Australia’s First Large-Scale Graphite Microniser
A front-end engineering and design (FEED) study has confirmed the strong economic viability of International Graphite’s proposed Collie graphite micronising facility in Western Australia. The study outlines a compelling business case for the project, which is set to become Australia’s first large-scale commercial micronising facility when operations begin in late 2026.
Following the successful commissioning of a 200-tonne-per-annum (tpa) qualification-scale microniser in February 2024—the largest of its kind in Australia—International Graphite has now laid the foundation for a larger, commercially focused operation. The FEED study estimates that the Collie facility could produce approximately 4,000 tpa of micronised graphite, generating an average annual revenue of $14.1 million with a 43% internal rate of return (IRR) over a 20-year period.
Key Economic Findings and Expansion Potential
The study’s key financial and operational projections include:
- Capital cost estimate: $6.3 million
- Average sales price: $3,722 per tonne
- Average operating cost: $2,536 per tonne over 20 years
- Net present value (NPV10): $25.8 million using a 10% discount rate
- Total revenue over 20 years: $282.3 million
Additionally, the study supports an expansion plan that could increase production capacity to approximately 7,500 tpa, further strengthening International Graphite’s presence in the industrial graphite market.
“The economics for the Collie micronising facility are strong,” said International Graphite’s Managing Director and CEO, Andrew Worland. “Successful implementation and progressive expansion would position International Graphite as an international force in the industrial graphite market. The key to advancing graphite projects lies in controlling value-adding industrial and battery anode downstream processing facilities.”
Advancing Australia’s Mine-to-Market Graphite Supply Chain
The Collie micronising facility is a critical step in International Graphite’s broader vision to establish a fully integrated mine-to-market graphite operation in Western Australia. The company’s strategy includes a graphite mine and concentrate production facility at Springdale, as well as battery anode material production facilities in Collie.
Micronised graphite serves as the initial stage in producing battery anode materials essential for electric vehicles and green energy storage technologies. By developing markets and generating early cash flow through the Collie facility, International Graphite aims to secure financing for its larger Springdale graphite project and strengthen Australia’s position in the global graphite supply chain.
“We see the Collie development as the first step in building out our Australian and international downstream industrial facilities,” Worland added.
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