Name of the Project
Siviour graphite project.

Location
The project is located on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.

Client
Renascor Resources.

Project Description
A prefeasibility study (PFS) has confirmed the project’s potential to achieve significant returns through the vertically integrated development of a mine and flake graphite concentrate operation, as well as downstream production of spherical graphite.

The spherical PFS builds upon an early scoping-level study that concluded that there was potential for significant value uplift from a spherical graphite operation.

The PFS demonstrates that strong financial returns can be expected from a large-scale development by adopting conventional techniques and procedures.

Production of spherical graphite is estimated at 29 085 t/y over a 30-year mine life.

This spherical PFS adopts the technical parameters and assumptions included in the concentrate PFS and assumes that an estimated 61 500 t/y of fine flake (<150 um) graphite concentrates will be procured from the Siviour graphite deposit.

The proposed spherical graphite plant incorporates graphite concentrate offloading and dry storage, micronisation, spheronisation, caustic roast thermal purification and purified spherical graphite drying and bagging.

Subsequent studies will focus on optimisation of project economics through alternative milling and purification technologies and providing multiple spherical graphite products at different size specifications.

Further studies will also consider market entry strategies, including scaling up through pilot- or small-scale development and partnering with downstream participants.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The spherical operation has an after-tax net present value, at a 10% discount rate, of A$487-million. Payback is estimated at 2.5 years. The integrated operation has an after-tax net present value, at a 10% discount rate, of A$889-million. Payback is estimated at four years.

The integrated operation has an internal rate of 53%.

Value
Total capital expenditure is estimated at A$221.5-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Renascor’s upcoming work programmes with regard to spherical graphite will focus on additional testing of Siviour spherical graphite in lithium-ion battery anodes, including by potential end-users as part of customer qualification.

The company is also undertaking programmes focusing on optimising the results of the spherical PFS that will include testing alternative milling and purification technologies.

Concurrently, Renascor intends to continue the accelerated development of Siviour, with planned upcoming work programmes expected to include:

• the completion of the graphite concentrates definitive feasibility study (expected in the next quarter);

• offtake and finance discussions with potential end-users of Siviour graphite products, including graphite concentrates and spherical graphite;

• advanced feasibility planning regarding the production of graphite concentrates and spherical graphite; and

• the completion of the permitting and approvals required to start production at Siviour.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Wave International (study manager and supervising engineer – PFS).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Renascor Resources, tel +61 8 8363 6989, fax +61 8 8363 4989 or email info@renascor.com.au.