Quantum Graphite play links SA mine to major Oman refinery plan

Quantum Graphite’s JV partner Sunlands Pure Group attended the signing ceremony in the offices of His Excellency Sayyed Dr Hamad bin Ahmed bin Saud Al Busaidi, Governor of Al Buraimi (right), with Mr Nasser Al Naaimi representing Sunlands. Credit: File

Quantum Graphite’s (ASX: QGL) bid to turn its century-old Uley flake graphite mine into a globally relevant supply-chain play has taken a giant stride offshore, with its downstream technology partner signing up local government support in the Middle East’s Gulf state of Oman.

Sunlands Pure Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Governorate of Al Buraimi for a proposed large-scale graphite refinery and support activities on a land parcel of more than 240 hectares in Buraimi, 60 kilometres from Sohar Port, Oman’s main commercial port.

The facility is intended to purify and package natural flake graphite for global customers across the lithium-ion battery anodes, isostatic graphite and thermal energy storage markets.

Notably, the MoU recognises the refinery as an Oman Vision 2040 project, tagging Quantum as a critical partner for the exclusive supply of flake graphite into Sunlands’ downstream operations. The company says the agreement formalises ongoing support from the Governorate and establishes a pathway to fast-track the project’s development.

The Quantum has also flagged an update within the next two weeks on the exclusive downstream arrangements, overall financing and progress at its Uley-2 operation, 20km southwest of South Australia’s regional town of Port Lincoln.

The Oman move has neatly coincided with the company’s joint venture partner, Sunlands Energy, securing an additional United States patent covering expanded claims around its thermal energy storage graphite cell technology. The new patent broadens the technology’s scope to include additional heat-transfer fluid options and more flexible heating methods.

For punters, the new deal shapes as a strong signal that the group’s downstream processing and energy storage ambitions are gathering momentum alongside the development pathway for its Uley-2 project.

If the promised funding and offtake details come to fruition as expected, Quantum could soon have a clear runway from South Australian rock to international end-markets.

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