PERTH (miningweekly.com) - Early works and construction of the Vittangi anode project, in Sweden, have started, ASX-listed Talga reported on Tuesday
Vittangi will use 100% renewable electricity to produce an initial 19 500 t/y of green anode for lithium-ion batteries from an integrated mine and anode refinery operation in northern Sweden, over an initial mine life of 24 years.
The refinery is projected to be the first commercial anode production in Europe for electric vehicle (EV) Li-ion batteries.
“As we break ground at our Swedish anode refinery, we mark a major milestone in Talga’s journey to build Europe’s first domestic supply of sustainable graphite anode for EV batteries,” said Talga MD Mark Thompson.
“I am immensely proud of the global Talga team and our joint achievements as we progress towards becoming a leading producer of Li-ion battery materials with high environmental, social and governance standards. I thank our stakeholders and the Luleå community for their support.”
Meanwhile, Talga on Tuesday announced that the company had also completed the selection of a banking consortium to provide all of the debt funding for the Vittangi project.
Finalisation of project debt facilities with the selected banking consortium remains subject to finalisation of approvals, completion of remaining due diligence and execution of definitive debt facility documentation, which are expected to include customary project financing terms and conditions. Drawdowns under the facility will be subject to customary conditions precedent.
Customer negotiations to allocate supply and underpin debt financing agreements are progressing, Talga told shareholders.