CSIRO Collaboration: Graphite recovery and purification

Cobalt Blue is participating in a co-development program with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

The program focuses on selective graphite recovery by flotation, tested across two feedstocks: (1) thermally treated black mass, and (2) residues remaining after hydrometallurgical leaching of black mass using Cobalt Blue’s process. CSIRO analysis indicates the concentrate from Cobalt Blue’s process contains graphite at over 75%. CSIRO will then apply its proprietary purification method to upgrade the concentrate to battery-grade specification. The purified graphite will be assembled into battery anodes and tested to evaluate electrochemical performance and product quality.

CSIRO’s Graphite Research and Development Grant is supported by the Australian Government and designed to provide Australian companies with funding and access to CSIRO expertise to support collaborative R&D projects. Selected projects focus on the development of innovative technologies and processes to produce natural and synthetic graphite, particularly for battery applications.

Testwork activities undertaken by staff at the BHTC

 Graphite-rich concentrate recovered by flotation from battery black-mass leach residue (left), and the remaining gypsum-bearing flotation tailings (right).

Column showing graphite (dark layer) selectively rising to the top during flotation, leaving behind gypsum (light grey layer) at the bottom