International Graphite’s mine-to-market development has received major international endorsement, with the US Department of Defense (DoD) providing positive feedback on the Company’s submission for feasibility funding under the Defense Industrial Base Consortium program.
The Company has been formally advised that its proposal meets the criteria for “Award/Basket Consideration” and will progress in the evaluation process.
The proposal aims to help diversify and de-risk US graphite supply chains by enabling the US to partner with operators in trusted jurisdictions like Australia. It requests up to US$7.5 million to support feasibility studies for the Springdale Graphite Project and downstream processing operations in Collie, Western Australia.
“The US is searching for quality critical minerals and is determined to lock in secure sources to meet projected commercial and defence demand,” said Managing Director and CEO Andrew Worland.
“It will be hard‑pressed to find a more reliable source of graphite than Australia and, in particular, Western Australia. It’s only natural that Australia and the US should cooperate to strengthen the critical minerals supply chain.”
If awarded, the funding would support advanced technical studies to progress IG6’s integrated graphite supply chain, from resource to refined product, for industrial and battery markets, including specialist defence applications. This includes expansion beyond Australia, with potential downstream facility locations being assessed in Europe and the United States, including a proposed site in Savannah, Georgia, reflecting IG6’s broader strategy to supply global markets with secure, ESG-aligned graphite supply.
Caption: Managing Director and CEO Andrew Worland, left, and Chairman Phil Hearse, in Washington.