NextSource Materials achieves first bulk container shipment of graphite from Molo mine

NextSource Materials has sent its first bulk container shipment of graphite from Molo mine in Madagascar. The SuperFlake graphite was shipped to downstream technical partner’s battery anode facility (BAF) therefter will be processed into spheronized, purified graphite (SPG) and further transformed into coated SPG as part of large-scale verification tests being conducted by automotive EV supply chains in South Korea and Japan. The verification test results are expected to be received in December.

The company aims to become a vertically integrated global supplier of graphite anode material by constructing multiple BAFs capable of producing CSPG (coated SPG) at commercial scale in various key locations. They have exclusive access to their partner’s IP for SPG, which is already used in OEM supply chains such as Tesla and Toyota.

Sustainable supply chain

NextSource Materials aims to play a key role in the global sustainable lithium-ion battery supply chain, which is anticipated to experience substantial growth in the coming decades. They are also committed to reducing carbon emissions through the operation of their  recently commissioned solar hybrid plant at the mine.

This solar hybrid plant is owned and operated by CrossBoundary Energy under a 20-year power purchase agreement. It combines a 2.69 MWp solar photovoltaic array, a 1.37 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), and a 3.1 MW thermal (diesel) generator plant. This solar hybrid plant is expected to provide up to 35% of Molo’s complete system power needs from renewable energy sources, resulting in significant cost savings and a reduction of carbon emissions.