The US Department of Defense has awarded Graphite One a $37.5-million research contract to enhance the domestic production of graphite battery anodes.
Graphite is a mineral considered “essential” for electric vehicles and alternative energy solutions supporting national defense capabilities.
Under the feasibility study, the firm will leverage its Graphite Creek Project located north of Nome, Alaska, which the US Geological Survey recently confirmed as the country’s “largest known graphite resource.”
China is the leading international graphite producer, while the US is still dependent on imports.
Funding for the project will come from the Inflation Reduction Act, a $500-billion bill signed in 2022 that promotes clean energy across the US and investments in local energy production.
“This investment to increase domestic capabilities for graphite exemplifies Industrial Base Policy’s commitment to building a resilient industrial base to meet current and future national defense requirements,” US Defense Assistant Secretary Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale explained.
“The agreement with Graphite One (Alaska) is in furtherance of the Defense Department’s strategy for minerals and materials related to large-capacity batteries.”
Addressing Demand for Clean Energy Solutions
Alongside the US defense award, Graphite One will shell out $37.5 million to accelerate the feasibility study.
“This Department of Defense grant underscores our confidence in our strategy to build a 100% US-based advanced graphite supply chain – from mining to refining to recycling,” Graphite One CEO and Founder Anthony Huston stated.
“The World Bank Group reports that the production of minerals, including graphite, could increase by nearly 500% by 2050, to meet the growing demand for clean energy technologies.”