Graphite Creek:
A Generational Resource

Recovering and processing natural graphite for generations
of technological innovation in energy, automotive, and computing.

Value drivers for the Graphite Creek Property

  • Located on 100% state-owned land, and supported by the Alaska state government.
  • Resource is cited as the “largest known graphite deposit in the U.S.” by the USGS.
  • Deposit remains open to the west, east and down dip. Only 12% of the geological anomaly has been explored.
  • Feasibility Study proven and probable mineral reserve tonnage is now 317% of the PFS reserve estimate, and contained graphite is 296% of the PFS estimate.
  • Adding 250 jobs to the skilled Alaskan workforce.
  • Fostering collaborative engagement and mutual trust with local and regional communities.

Feasibility Study highlights strong project economics

The phased development strategy reduces upfront capital and aligns spending with Project milestones.

$6.4 billion pre-tax NPV (net present value) at an 8% discount rate, with a IRR (internal rate of return) of 30% and a payback period of 7.3 years.

$5 billion post-tax NPV at an 8% discount rate, with a IRR of 27% and payback period of 7.5 years.

At full capacity, the Secondary Treatment Plant (STP) aims to process 175,000 tonnes of natural graphite, and produce 256,000 tonnes of manufactured graphite products annually.

Proven & Probable Mineral Reserves tripled (317%) from the reserve disclosed in the PFS. Measured plus Indicated Mineral Resource tripled (322%) from the resource disclosed in the PFS.

20-year mine life based on exploration of 1.2 miles (12%) of the total 9.5 mile long geophysical anomaly.

Download Full Feasibility Study

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Graphite Creek FAQs

Like most businesses and economic development opportunities in the region, the Graphite Creek project could benefit from the Port of Nome expansion through improved shipping options. If the Port Expansion does not achieve its project targets for deep water draft, Graphite One will evaluate the economics of lightering from the Port to a ship anchored in deeper water. Either way, Graphite One will utilize the available Port of Nome infrastructure, as we have been, and continue to pay for using that infrastructure in the same manner as other users.

Like all mining projects, Graphite One will evaluate a variety of financing options which may include sale of company equity, loans from commercial banks, or sale of royalties on future sales, etc. 

Once the mine’s reclamation and closure obligations are met, the access road, bridges, and culverts will also be reclaimed.

Mining projects in Alaska typically need permits from both federal and state agencies. Since the Graphite Creek Project does not cross any federally owned or managed lands, the only federal permit required is a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This permit would authorize Graphite One to place fill in wetlands and waterbodies under their jurisdiction to construct the access road and mine facilities. Before they can issue us this permit, USACE must complete a review of the project under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) to document and disclose effects to the environment.  USACE will also consult with other federal agencies on an as needed basis.  It is expected that the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency will be consulted on the Graphite Creek Project.

The State of Alaska will be responsible for reviewing permit applications for the Graphite Creek Project, issuing an easement for the access road, land use authorizations for the mine facilities, water use, air quality permits, wastewater discharge, and fish habitat permits.

The primary State permitting agencies for the State of Alaska are the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Fish and Game, and Department of Transporation and Public Facilities.  

The State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is currently reviewing the Clean Water Act Section 404 permit application to USACE and is responsible for reviewing, approving, and placing any necessary conditions on the permit to ensure that State water quality standards will not be violated before it can be issued.

The USACE will follow its standard procedures to determine whether the environmental review under NEPA is done as an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).  An EA is prepared to give the public and decision-makers a concise, science-based review of a proposed project’s likely environmental effects and to determine whether a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement is necessary. EAs, by law, must be completed in under one year. An EIS is prepared when the lead federal agency determines their action (such as issuing a permit) would significantly affect the environment based on its location or the degree of its effects. The EIS process is longer with more public involvement but is required to be completed in 2 years or less. There are many different criteria which can cause a project to require an EIS, such as exceeding air emissions standards, impacts on endangered species, cultural heritage, scope and scale of the project and potential impacts on the environment and local communities.  

An EIS requires a high level of review where the lead permitting agency hires a 3rd party contractor at the project owner’s expense to review all the baseline environmental information collected by the project owner, the project design, and the project owner’s environmental evaluation document.  The 3rd party contractor will use this information to draft an EIS.

The USACE has made an initial determination for Graphite Creek to proceed with an EA based on the expectation that the project will impact a small area of wetlands. If, at any time during the EA process, the USACE determines that the impacts would be significant, then they would change course and start developing an EIS.

No. The inclusion of Graphite Creek on the FAST-41 permitting dashboard does not ease or lessen the permitting requirements Graphite One or any other project proponent must meet to gain regulatory approval. 

FAST-41 refers to Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama in 2015. This act was created to improve the timeliness, transparency, and coordination of federal environmental reviews. Under FAST-41, we are assigned a federal project manager that ensures all parties are working efficiently. This allows for greater transparency for the public to see the progress of the permitting effort on the FAST-41 dashboard and encourages federal agencies to adhere to reasonable permitting schedules.  It does not impact any of the thresholds the permit applicant must clear.