Renascor receives greenlight for BAM facility

Renascor Resources has received approval for its battery anode material (BAM) manufacturing facility from South Australian Planning Minister Nick Champion.

The State Government approval grants a provisional development authorisation required to construct the downstream portion of Renascor’s vertically integrated operation, which will produce up to 100,000 tonnes per annum of purified spherical graphite (PSG) for use in lithium-ion battery anodes.

“The minister’s decision follows a multi-year approval process incorporating extensive stakeholder engagement and technical studies, including a comprehensive environmental impact statement, independent technical reviews and comprehensive discussions with South Australia’s Department for Housing and Urban Development, the City of Salisbury council and relevant State agencies, local residents and other interested parties,” Renascor managing director David Christensen said.

“With this important regulatory milestone now achieved, we look forward to continuing our engagement with the Department for Housing and Urban Development, the City of Salisbury and the local community as we advance our plans to construct and operate a state-of-the art manufacturing facility in South Australia.”

The approval follows a rigorous impact assessment process, which began when the BAM facility was declared an impact assessed development in December 2022.

This led to the submission of a development application and a full environmental impact statement in 2023, followed by months of public consultation.

The authorisation is conditional upon final design approvals, aligning with expectations developed in consultation with key planning bodies.

Renascor is currently progressing its co-funded PSG demonstration facility, with commissioning of the water treatment circuit planned for next quarter and, full-scale commissioning expected in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Findings from the PSG demonstration facility will be utilised in the detailed design stage and carried through to the construction and operation of the commercial BAM facility.

This downstream development complements Renascor’s upstream graphite mining operation near Arno Bay, with current efforts focused on engineering, infrastructure, and contractor selection to prepare for construction.