Graphite set to boom in South Australia to supply increased demand
Mining & Resources
GLOBAL demand for graphite has led to the reopening of the first operational graphite mine in Australia for 25 years, with two more set to follow.
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The mines are located on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, 30km from the main town of Port Lincoln.
A booming world graphite ore price, a slump in Chinese production and the recent discovery of new age material ‘graphene’, has made this common mineral extremely popular and profitable.
It is expected there will be at least three mines operating by 2016 with each mine processing about 250,000 tons of ore to create 35,000 tons of graphite concentrate for export.
“Graphene can pave the way for Australian manufacturing,” The Conversation
Speaking at the PaydirtSouth Australian Resources and Energy Investment ConferenceAdelaide Convention CentreLincoln Minerals
“The graphite mines present an extremely exciting and positive time for all of South Australia,’’ he said.
“The creation of jobs for South Australians, royalties for the state government and the research possibilities for graphene all combine to create something special.’’
It is estimated that the boom could boost South Australian coffers by more $100 million within the next two years.
“The price for graphite spiked significantly around four years ago, jumping from several hundred dollars a ton to $3000,’’ Parker said.
“It has now settled to around $1250 a ton which has made mining graphite financially attractive and viable again.’’
The mining operation would be based around Port Lincoln’s high grade Kookaburra Gully graphite deposit and nearby historic Koppio graphite mine just north of Port Lincoln.
The concentrate would be exported in sealed bulka bags (25kg bags) and most likely consignments would be in 5000 tonne parcels, requiring only 5 to 10 ship movements per year, or via shipment with regular container traffic.
Parker proposed an initial start-up operation mining 250,000 of ore, giving a mine life of between five and seven and a half years. The open pit would be based on mining the existing known resource to 100 metres below ground.
The deposit, however, remains open at depth and along strike, offering the potential to extend the mining life of the pit.
Studies have found the Kookaburra Gully mining cost profile would be competitive with equivalent operations in Canada – a key graphite exporter.
Graphite mining from 2015 will be subject to Government and community approvals, finance and market conditions.
Lincoln MineralsRegistered and Principal Office28 Greenhill Road, Wayville, South Australia 5034t: 61-8-82740243f: 61-8-82740242e: info@lincolnminerals.com.au
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