Canada-based Leading Edge Materials is commissioning a life cycle analysis on its Woxna graphite project in Sweden, Kallanish reports.

That analysis will be conducted by Minviro Ltd, a London-based life cycle consultancy, on the mothballed graphite mine that may be getting new life.

On 10 December, the European Commission proposed new legislation to ensure that batteries in the EU market will be sustainable along their entire life cycle including mandatory provisions to declare the associated carbon footprint. Earlier in 2020, Minviro issued a white paper, saying that existing battery LCA studies may have grossly underestimated the carbon dioxide intensity of production.

It is important that the carbon footprint be minimised across the full battery value chain, says Leading Edge ceo Filip Kozlowski in a statement. The new study will also quantify and validate the environmental credentials of Woxna, says Robert Pell, founder and director of Minviro.

The Woxna project is located near the town of Edsbyn in central Sweden. The open pit began commercial operations in 2015, processing about 100,000 tonnes/year to produce 10,000 t/y of graphite concentrate. The mine is currently on a production-ready basis due to low graphite prices.

There are four graphite deposits covering 146.7 hectares neat Edsbyn. Together, they have measured and indicated resources of 7.7 million t of 9.3% graphite carbon used in electric vehicle batteries.