Volt has a 70% interest in the Zavalievsky Graphite (ZG) business in Ukraine. The ZG mine and processing facilities have been in operation since 1934 and are near key markets with significant developments in lithium-ion battery production. ZG benefits from an existing customer base and graphite product supply chains based on excellent transport infrastructure covering road, rail, river, and sea freight combined with reliable grid power, ample potable ground water supply and good communications.
Project Key Facts
- About 90% graphite is fine mesh suitable for lithium-ion batteries
- Flotation + Concentration + Purification done at mine
- Permits for subsoil use (mining licence equivalent) valid until November 2035.
- Makes graphite products across the range and potential to significantly increase high value, large flake production.
- Excellent transport infrastructure covering road, rail, river and sea freight combined with reliable grid power.
- Resources: 22.9 million ton at a grade of 6.8% carbon – subset of overall deposit based on south-east zone only (Non-JORC and approximately 20% of Russian code resources)
- Production: average 7,300 TPA graphite concentrate from 2017 to 2021. 1980s – 60 kTPA
Project KPIs
- Ownership: 70% Volt, 30% Ukraine entities
- Long-life: producing graphite mine that has been in operation for over 87 years, with exploration upside
Upcoming Milestones
- Increase product purity to 99.95%
- Become a supplier to lithium-ion battery cell makers based in Europe and North America