Vertically integrated graphite developer Evion Group (ASX:EVG) reports a recently completed Scoping Study has built a compelling case for developing a graphite concentrate processing facility in Europe.
The company says the Scoping Study, which was completed with independent resource development consulting group Wave International, leverages off earlier battery testwork programs undertaken by Dorfner ANZAPLAN in 2019 and 2020, when Evion completed an anode suitability program.
Wave assisted in the evaluation of building a downstream processing facility in Germany to produce uncoated spheronised purified graphite (SPG) from a portion of graphite concentrate expected to be produced from the company’s Maniry Project in Madagascar.
It also reports this facility could capitalise on the emerging supply deficit for battery anode materials required to make lithium-ion batteries, with nearly all graphite used in battery production coming from China. Furthermore, Evion says the SPG facility provides it with an opportunity to supply European markets with ‘high-quality’ and ‘high-value’ products in a high-demand market.
Commenting on the Scoping Study, Evion Group Managing Director Tom Revy says: “Underpinned by our Maniry Graphite Project, this battery anode material plant has the potential to uniquely position Evion to capitalise on the strong growth in demand for non-Chinese supplies of uncoated-SPG from the European lithium-ion battery market.
“By developing a vertically-integrated graphite business, Evion is positioning itself to take full advantage of the highly favourable supply-demand fundamentals emerging for our products as a result of the energy transition”
By developing a vertically integrated graphite business, Evion is positioning itself to take full advantage of the highly favourable supply-demand fundamentals emerging for our products as a result of the energy transition.
Evion continues to grow its development pipeline, which includes expandable graphite, uncoated spheronised purified graphite and the Maniry Graphite Project, in a controlled and strategic manner to provide shareholders more direct exposure to the fast-growing global graphite supply chain.
The board believes that the quality portfolio of integrated projects it now holds, not only positions the company to deliver against our vision but also represents significant potential value for our shareholders moving forward.”
Evion reports the flowsheet developed incorporates mechanical shaping (micronisation and spheronisation) followed by purification. In total, 5 purification options were reviewed based on the earlier battery testwork data where results achieved a minimum 99.96% fixed carbon using a number of different purification methods.
The company says Wave compiled the various technical components, preliminary assumptions, and conceptual financial model using data provided by both Evion and other specialist consultants.
Based on the preliminary qualitative and quantitative reviews undertaken as part of the study, the caustic baking flow sheet remains Evion’s preferred purification work. It also notes 2 product output scales including 30,000 tonnes per annum and 15,000tpa were reviewed as part of the study.
Evion reports ‘comprehensive’ testwork on Maniry concentrate to better define the process flowsheet, optimise reagent schemes, and understand the characterisation of waste stream will be a future development step for the facility.
Other activities the company will be completing includes progress site selection studies to finalise the location of the processing facility, investigating further infrastructure options based on site requirements, producing specification and a datasheet for product produced from the purification flowsheet, as well as starting marketing activities.
Evion group is a vertically integrated graphite developer focused on several downstream value added graphite processing opportunities in India and Europe.
The company holds the Maniry Graphite Project in southern Madagascar, which hosts a global Mineral Resource Estimate of 16.2 million tonnes across 3 deposits.
Images: Evion Group Ltd
