PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Critical minerals company EcoGraf has inked a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Vietnam-based VinEs Energy Solutions Joint Stock Company to evaluate a battery anode material (BAM) facility in Vietnam.
EcoGraf will evaluate the potential to combine a localised graphite material supply in Vietnam with future feedstock from its Epanko graphite project in Tanzania.
The company told shareholders that the ability to incorporate local BAM feedstock offers numerous advantages through lower production and transport costs. The potential also exists to combine the company’s Epanko graphite with the Vietnam material to develop a scalable localised supply chain.
Under the agreement EcoGraf will support VinES with its graphite expertise and US-patented battery anode material processing technology and VinES will provide its battery materials supply chain logistics, in-country expertise, manufacturing and construction capability in Vietnam.
“Our team is excited by the opportunity as Vietnam has excellent potential to host an integrated anode materials supply chain and be a regional hub for anode material manufacturing,” said Epanko MD Andrew Spinks.
“Our previous feasibility work on Vietnam indicated very competitive cost structures, high environmental and social governance (ESG) credentials and attractive investment policies. We are delighted to be partnering with VinES, a leading lithium-ion battery maker in Vietnam which shares our vision and values.
“More importantly, our businesses are highly complementary and our cooperation should allow both parties to strengthen our position in the electric vehicle battery material supply chain. We look forward to working with VinES to develop a highly cost-competitive operation with compelling ESG credentials in Vietnam.”