Kibaran Resources Ltd. kicked off a feasibility study on downstream processing of its graphite, including the production of battery-grade graphite for the lithium-ion battery market.

The company said Sept. 27 that it is looking to sell battery-grade graphite to the lithium-ion battery industry in Japan and Korea to capitalize on increased demand from the electric car market.

Kibaran appointed GR Engineering Services Ltd. as the lead study manager, which is also the company's engineering partner for the development of the Epanko graphite project in Tanzania.

The company signed a five-year binding exclusivity agreement in August with Sojitz Corp. to supply at least 14,000 tonnes per year of natural flake graphite products.