The global race towards net-zero emissions is intensifying demand for critical minerals, with graphite emerging as a focal point as Australian markets gear up to supply extra demand.
Analysis from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence predicts that flake graphite production will require $US7.57 billion ($11.84 billion) of capital expenditure investment by 2035 to meet burgeoning battery demand. This would enable the graphite mining sector to bring online the more than four million tonnes of annual flake graphite production needed to meet base-case 2035 demand.
Graphite serves as the conductive anode in lithium-ion batteries, and it is estimated that producing these batteries requires up to ten times more graphite than lithium.
In response to this escalating demand, Australian companies are proactively expanding their graphite production capabilities.
International Graphite secured $12.5 million in funding from the Western Australian Government to develop a commercial graphite micronising facility in Collie, anticipated to become the nation’s largest.
A recent front-end engineering and design (FEED) study found that the proposed graphite micronising facility could produce approximately 4000 tonnes per annum, making it the largest and most advanced facility of its kind in Australia.
In South Australia, Lincoln Minerals is advancing its Kookaburra graphite project on the Eyre Peninsula, which boasts high-grade graphite at surface level, minimising initial capital expenditure.
Kookaburra was recently named in the 2025 edition of the Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus, reaffirming its position as one of the country’s most promising critical minerals developments.
Published by Austrade, the Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus showcases around 50 advanced and investment ready critical minerals projects across Australia.
“We’re pleased to see the Kookaburra graphite project once again included in this important national publication,” Lincoln Minerals chief executive officer Jonathon Trewartha said.
“As international markets seek high-quality, low-risk graphite sources, Kookaburra stands out as a development-ready project with strong potential to supply battery and industrial markets.”
Lincoln said it is continuing to explore pathways to advance the Kookaburra project, including offtake partnerships, funding solutions and value-added graphite processing.
Other emerging graphite projects in Australia include Renascor Resources’ Siviour project and Quantum Graphite and Sunlands Energy Co.’s Eyre Peninsula graphite hub, which was granted major project status by the Federal Government in March.
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