New Chinese Restrictions on Supply of Natural Graphite Will Negatively Impact Batteries Used in EV Market

By: Westwater Resources, Inc. via Business Wire

October 23, 2023 at 13:30 PM EDT

Westwater Resources Offers Domestic Alternatives

Westwater Resources, Inc. (NYSE: American: WWR), an energy technology and battery-grade natural graphite company (“Westwater Resources”), today acknowledged that new Chinese restrictions on the supply of natural graphite will negatively impact the availability of battery anode material which is a critical component in producing the lithium-ion batteries that are used in electric vehicles.

Today, China produces nearly 100 percent of the processed graphite that is used to create battery anodes used in electric vehicles. An average EV in the United States contains approximately 175 pounds of processed graphite. However, the United States currently has no domestic production of natural graphite and no domestic processing of graphite into anode materials for EV batteries.

Westwater Resources is committed to changing this imbalance by providing a domestic supply of natural graphite and a domestic source of graphite processing for the EV market. Westwater Resources is currently building its Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant, which will supply processed graphite to the EV market beginning in early 2025. In addition, Westwater Resources is designing and planning its Coosa Graphite Project, which is scheduled to begin mining natural graphite by the end of 2028. The Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant and the Coosa Graphite Deposit are both located in east-central Alabama.

“The announcement of export curbs by China highlights the importance of standing up a battery grade graphite anode industry in the United States to support the energy transition,” said Terence J. Cryan, Executive Chairman of Westwater Resources. “Since nearly 100 percent of global graphite anode material is coming from China this year, diversity of supply is in the country’s best interest. Westwater’s Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant is ready to lead the way.”

ABOUT WESTWATER RESOURCES, INC.

Westwater Resources is an energy technology company that is focused on developing battery-grade natural graphite. Westwater Resources’ primary project is the Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant that is under construction in east-central Alabama. In addition, Westwater Resources’ Coosa Graphite Deposit is the most advanced natural flake graphite deposit in the contiguous United States — and is located across 41,965 acres (~17,000 hectares) in Coosa County, Alabama. For more information, visit www.westwaterresources.net.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words such as “will,” “changing,” “providing,” “scheduled,” “supplying,” and other similar words. Forward-looking statements in this release include, among other things, statements concerning Westwater’s activities and schedules regarding its Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant and Coosa Graphite Deposit. Westwater cautions that there are certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Westwater; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. Additional risks facing Westwater’s future prospects are discussed in the Westwater Resources, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and subsequent securities filings.