Australia’s first facility dedicated to transforming raw graphite into battery-ready material has commenced operations in Townsville.
The Graphinex demonstration facility is the first vertically integrated pit-to-product project of its kind in the country. It processes raw graphite mined from the Esmeralda project near Croydon, home to the world’s second-largest natural graphite deposit, and refines it into high-value anodes for use in lithium-ion batteries.
The Queensland state government declared the Esmeralda project a Prescribed Project last year to fast-track approvals, delivering the potential for more than 200 new regional Queensland jobs.
The project has already attracted international attention, with the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) issuing a $1.3 billion Letter of Interest, the largest single commitment under the US-Australia Critical Minerals Framework.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last noted that the Graphinex facility proves Queensland can move beyond exporting raw rocks to manufacturing high-tech components.
“Queensland is not just exporting raw materials, we are turning them into high-value products that are in demand around the world and strengthening the state’s position as a world leader in critical minerals,” Last said.
“This is what pit-to-processing-to-product could look like, taking our natural advantages and turning them into jobs, investment and long-term economic growth.
While celebrating the Townsville milestone, the state government is now ramping up pressure on the federal government to co-fund a AU$300 million package for four additional investment-ready projects.
These include a AU$227 million upgrade to the Mt Isa Rail Line, AU$37 million for the Townsville Resources Common User Facility expansion, AU$26.3 million for tungsten capacity uplift at Mt Carbine and AU$10 million for critical mineral screening pilots in Mackay.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli stated that Queensland is willing to capitalise on money available and fund these projects.
“The U.S. has opened the door, and Queensland is ready to walk through it with shovel-ready critical minerals projects,” the Premier said.
“We’re banging down doors across the globe because Queensland is open for business.”
