Battery supply hopes for Burke graphite project

Lithium Energy is working with the CSIRO to target the demands of the global lithium battery market with high-grade graphite from its Burke deposit, 125km north of Cloncurry. The Burke graphite deposit in North West Queensland is one of the highest-grade graphite deposits globally, with aJORC Inferred Mineral Resource of 6.3Mt grading at 16 per cent total graphitic carbon (TGC). Previous testwork has confirmed that the natural graphite there is able to be processed by standard flotation technology to international benchmark product categories for use in lithium-ion batteries. The company said CSIRO work had already demonstrated good performance by the Burke graphite flake when used in a coin battery cell configuration. Related: $2b fund to turbocharge critical minerals sector Tests resulted in Burke graphite cells showing generally higher levels of capacity compared with control coin cells when repeatedly (50 times) charged and discharged over a 10 hour cycle time, Lithium Energy reported. "This critical aspect of the Burke graphite electrical storage capacity is highly encouraging and the companyhas therefore determined to undertake the further test work required by battery manufacturers seekingto acquire graphite for use in their battery manufacturing operations," it said. Lithium Energy has entered into a new research agreement with CSIRO to undertake further work, including attempting spheronisation and purification of Burke natural graphite particles and electrochemical testwork. It said the work comprised a key component required to demonstrate to potential graphite purchasers thebenefits of the natural flake graphite within the Burke deposit. The research project is backed by CSIRO Kick-Start, which will fund 50 per cent of the cost. Lithium Energy said a number of major Chinese and Japanese lithium-ion battery manufacturers and graphite companies had expressed keen interest in the Burke deposit and its proposed development. "Based upon the positive reception and strong interest in the Burke project, and with the benefit of the further testwork, Lithium Energy will pursue discussions with these previous parties (and other interested parties) with a view to eventually forming binding commercial off-take and development agreements," it said. While China itself was the world’s largest producer and consumer of graphite, the average graphite grades in China were typically much lower than that of the Burke deposit, Lithium Energy said. Increasing environmental concerns were causing companies to look outside of China for stable supplies of high quality graphite concentrate, it said.

Battery supply hopes for Burke graphite project

Industry Queensland

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