International Graphite has secured a second mining lease, M74/0252, for its Springdale graphite project near Ravensthorpe, Western Australia.
The lease was granted by the WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and covers the central deposits across Springdale.
The granting of M74/0252 follows the permitting of M74/0253 last week, which covers the Mason Bay deposit at Springdale.
“Granting of the mining leases is an important part of the permitting process for Springdale,” International Graphite said on November 7.
“Flora and fauna assessment and mapping has been completed with surveys confirming the project area is already cleared for agriculture and proposed mining activities would have little impact on natural vegetation or wildlife.
“A LiDAR (light detection and ranging) drone survey was completed in [the third] quarter [of] this year and will be used to assist hydrology assessment including drilling planned for early 2025.”
International Graphite managing director and chief executive officer Andrew Worland told Australian Mining in April that the Springdale deposit has scale and is a significant high-grade component.
“The scoping study we released in January 2024 indicated we can hold a head grade of about 10 per cent for the first 15 years of operations,” Worland said.
“The graphite mineralisation is very shallow and soft, as it is in oxide and weathered rock, which translates to cheaper mining costs and, in addition being a fines deposit, cheaper processing costs.”
Springdale’s mineral resource currently stands at an estimated 49.3 million tonnes at 6.5 per cent total graphitic carbon (TGC).
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