Exceptional Battery Test Results Show Springdale Concentrate is Ideal for Premium Li-Ion Battery Anode

International Graphite Limited (International Graphite) (ASX: IG6) is pleased to report exceptional results from purification and electrochemical testwork on graphite concentrates generated from the Company’s 100% owned Springdale Graphite Project, in Western Australia (Springdale).

Highlights

• Purification testwork on micronised and spheroidised Springdale concentrates exceeds the purity requirements of major lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries.
• The optimised processing conditions using a chemical non-hydrofluoric acid (HF) method achieved results ranging from 99.96% LOI to 99.97% LOI.
• Electrochemical tests were conducted on an uncoated purified sample of Springdale graphite concentrate which showed exceptional battery charging and discharging capacity.

The graphite concentrate tested came from reserve samples produced from previous beneficiation testwork using drill core samples from Springdale¹. Purification testwork involved the application of a modified caustic soda roast process at lower temperature than previously applied and with a simplified number of stages.

Optimised tests achieved results ranging from 99.96% Loss On Ignition (LOI) to 99.97% LOI, thereby exceeding the industry standard purity grade of 99.95% and also meeting all the element-specific requirements of major Li-Ion battery and electric vehicle manufacturers (refer to Table 1). There is considerable scope to further optimise these results.

Electrochemical testwork on the uncoated purified sample of Springdale graphite concentrate achieved near theoretical-specific capacity for a graphite anode in Li-ion batteries of 372 mAh/g.

Battery stress testing over 46 charging / discharging cycles showed Springdale graphite concentrate has very high stability and durability, with the 46th cycle giving a reversible capacity of 368 mAh/g. Stress testing over longer cycles will be conducted in the next stage of battery testwork.

International Graphite Technical Director David Pass said, “The purification results demonstrate the potential for an optimised and simplified purification process to be used as an alternative to the traditional industry standard HF method.

“The electrochemical results are highly encouraging as a first phase sighter test program. These results will inform the optimisation of micronisation, spheroidisation and purification testwork and flowsheet development for our planned battery anode facilities.

To do that, we will be using ~115kg of Springdale graphite concentrate that was produced by the bulk concentrate testwork program undertaken in the second half of 2023.”

Table 1 - 26 Element ICP analysis of purified Springdale graphite concentrate sample

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Directors of International Graphite Limited.

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