WA-based sustainable graphite company EcoGraf has inked an agreement with DevelopmentWA to lease on two lots in the Rockingham Strategic Industrial Area (SIA), with plans to develop a graphite processing facility to support WA’s battery minerals industry.
The company, which owns a patented state-of-the-art, eco-friendly graphite purification process, is looking to develop the $98 million graphite processing plant in response to the strong demand in global markets for environmentally responsible battery-grade spherical graphite.
Construction on the proposed Rockingham facility is slated to commence in mid-2021 in two stages. According to EcoGraf, production capacity for Stage 1 of the facility is 5,000 tons of battery-grade spherical graphite per annum, increasing to 20,000 tons per annum with the completion of Stage 2.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said the development will create up to 200 construction jobs and 75 ongoing operational jobs once complete.
“This is an exciting facility that will create jobs in Rockingham and surrounding suburbs,” the Premier said.
“The allocation of this prime industrial land to EcoGraf supports the State Government’s Future Battery Industry Strategy, which aims to grow this emerging sector in WA and transform it into a significant source of economic development, diversification, jobs and skills.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston congratulated all the staff and stakeholders at EcoGraf on the announcement.
“This is another example of the continuing success of the McGowan Government’s Future Battery Industry Strategy,” Mr Johnston continued.
“The demand for battery minerals in electric vehicles and battery storage systems has created an exciting opportunity for Western Australia, which has the fourth largest reserves of graphite in the world.”
