Montepuez and Balama graphite projects developers Battery Minerals has agreed to study the potential of developing a product marketing strategy with China’s Qingdao Guangxing Electronic Materials (GEM).
The companies would cooperate on executing a product marketing strategy in which Battery Minerals would supply GEM with graphite flake concentrate from the Montepuez project.
“GEM is enhancing its existing spheronisation and expandable graphite capability, and both parties will work together to market the products to sell to the international market.”
“Ongoing market development will include optimising development of spherical graphite for use as anode material in lithium-ion batteries as part of an international marketing strategy,” said David Flanagan, Battery Minerals chairperson in a statement.
Battery Minerals intends to commission its Montepuez project in December 2018, producing 45 000 t/y to 50 000 t/y of graphite flake concentrate.
The company is aiming to step up production to more than 100 000 t/y by 2022.
Balama Central is Battery Minerals’ second graphite project, where a definitive feasibility study is currently under way and scheduled for completion in mid-2018.
