Graphite developer and gold explorer Volt Resources Limited (ASX: VRC) has announced that it has joined the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA) after it acquired a controlling 70% stake in Ukrainian-based Zavalievsky Graphite.
The European Union Commission launched the ERMA network in September 2020, with a focus on strengthening European raw material value chains. It brings together a variety of organisations from both the private and public sectors, covering all aspects of the raw material value chain and providing members access to technical and regulatory advice, support and project investment.
Volt is also a member of the European Battery Alliance, which supports Volt’s strategy of becoming a European-integrated graphite miner and producer of battery anode materials.
Benefits of ERMA membership
The ERMA network is a growing collection of organisations from both the private and public sectors that covers the entire value chain for raw materials. The group’s core aim is to increase EU resilience in supply chains for batteries and fuel cells, rare earth magnets, and motors.
This alliance is a unique network that includes 130+ companies, 50+ associations and 20+ universities and researchers. It also includes several financial institutions, national authorities and ministries, as well as NGOs from Europe and around the world.
The strategic scope for the ERMA includes the identification of investment cases that build capacity across raw material value chains from mining to recovery, and product design to create a circular economy.
“membership of the two key EU sponsored battery materials alliances provide the opportunity to build relationships and obtain access to capital”
Management comments
Volt Resources Managing Director Trevor Matthews said: “With the acquisition of the Zavalievsky graphite business completed and Volt’s status as a producer of graphite products in Europe, membership of the two key EU sponsored battery materials alliances provide the opportunity to build relationships and obtain access to capital to support the expansion and product development plans for the European graphite business.
Combined with the future production of graphite products from the development ready Bunyu Project in Tanzania and plans for processing capacity to supply the LIB industry in the United States, Volt will be uniquely positioned as a globally significant and diversified graphite producer.”