ABSTRACT
This paper has been undertaken for the purpose of reviewing details and documenting the re-development of the Uley Graphite Project in South Australia. Earlier exploration stated that graphite in the tenements may be as much as 387 million tonnes at 7.4% graphite. Uley is already recognized as the world’s premier graphite resource. More detailed exploration by the previous JV has indicated an in situ indicated geological resource adjacent to the plant site at 2.44 million tonnes at 13.7% graphite. The plant facilities have been under care and maintenance since operations were suspended in April 1993, due primarily to very low graphite prices on the world market. The graphite produced, from the former operation, was accepted by many traders for its quality. World prices have now reached a higher level because China, being the major producer, is consuming most of its graphite in its booming steel industry. The preliminary financial evaluation, based on progressively increasing the production rate up to 19,500 tonnes of product over 5 years returns a strongly positive NPV The ongoing potential for “value adding” to the product by way of high purity and expanded graphite can now be realised following successful pioneering research into the production of high purity graphite of +99.9% carbon.
