Company Description
Westwater Resources, Inc. (NYSE American: WWR) is described as an energy technology and critical minerals company that is focused on developing battery-grade natural graphite. According to the company’s public statements, Westwater’s business is centered on advancing graphite projects and processing capabilities that can support domestic battery and energy supply chains in the United States.
The company identifies its primary project as the Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant in east-central Alabama. This plant is being developed to process natural graphite into battery-grade anode materials. Westwater has reported that Phase I construction at Kellyton has involved installation of key equipment and systems, operation of a qualification line, and work on grid power connection and other infrastructure. The qualification line at Kellyton has been used to produce coated spherical purified graphite samples for customer cell trials and to provide hands-on experience for the operations team.
In addition to the Kellyton facility, Westwater Resources controls the Coosa Graphite Deposit in Coosa County, Alabama. The company describes Coosa as the largest and most advanced natural flake graphite deposit in the contiguous United States, covering approximately 41,965 acres in the historic Alabama Graphite Belt. Westwater has indicated that Coosa is intended to provide long-term feedstock for the Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant, linking graphite mining with processing of battery-grade anode materials.
Westwater has also highlighted work on permitting and mine development at the Coosa deposit. The company has retained a third-party engineering firm to lead the permitting process and expects to engage with federal and state agencies on water, air, wetlands, and other operational approvals. In parallel, Westwater plans to conduct additional drilling at Coosa to further delineate and expand the resource base and to inform mine planning and design.
The company has reported progress on financing activities to support construction and development. Westwater has pursued a secured debt facility to fund remaining construction of Phase I at the Kellyton plant and has received a letter of interest from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) as a potential complementary funding source. The company has also used an at-the-market equity program and issued convertible notes under securities purchase agreements with institutional investors, as disclosed in its Form 8-K filings.
Westwater’s disclosures describe efforts to secure and maintain offtake agreements for its planned graphite products. The company has referenced agreements with counterparties such as SK On and Hiller Carbon, and it has reported that a previously announced Binding Offtake Agreement with FCA US LLC was terminated by FCA. In response, Westwater has stated that it is optimizing the Kellyton plant’s Phase I processing capacity to align with existing offtake commitments and available financing.
From a technology standpoint, Westwater has emphasized its work on graphite purification methods to support production at Kellyton. The company filed patent applications for proprietary purification processes and has reported receiving a Notice of Allowance followed by issuance of a U.S. patent covering its graphite purification technology. Westwater states that this patented process is designed to avoid the use of hydrofluoric acid, relying instead on a more environmentally focused approach to produce high-purity graphite.
Westwater Resources has publicly supported trade actions by the U.S. Department of Commerce related to anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations involving graphite-based anode materials imported from China. The company has stated that these rulings, which address unfair subsidies and pricing practices, are expected to benefit domestic anode producers and may influence offtake agreements and financing for U.S.-based graphite projects.
Westwater is based in Centennial, Colorado, and its common stock trades on the NYSE American under the symbol WWR. Through its combination of the Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant and the Coosa Graphite Deposit, along with related financing, permitting, and intellectual property activities, the company presents itself as a U.S.-focused developer of battery-grade natural graphite and related technologies.
Business focus and projects
According to company descriptions in public news releases, Westwater Resources’ business is organized around two main graphite assets:
- Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant in east-central Alabama, which is under construction and is intended to process natural graphite into battery-grade anode materials. Westwater reports that Phase I construction includes installation of micronization and spheroidization mills, electrical systems, and other supporting equipment, as well as operation of a qualification line for sample production and process optimization.
- Coosa Graphite Deposit in Coosa County, Alabama, which the company describes as the largest known natural flake graphite deposit in the contiguous United States. Coosa is planned as a long-term feedstock source for the Kellyton plant, with mine development subject to permitting and further exploration and drilling.
The company characterizes its strategy as vertically integrating domestic graphite mining at Coosa with processing at Kellyton to produce battery-grade natural graphite anode materials.
Financing and offtake arrangements
Westwater’s SEC filings and news releases describe multiple financing steps, including an at-the-market equity offering program, convertible note offerings, and efforts to syndicate a secured debt facility to fund remaining construction at Kellyton. The company has also engaged with EXIM regarding a potential loan and has disclosed that EXIM commenced due diligence following submission of a loan application.
On the commercial side, Westwater has disclosed offtake agreements with SK On and Hiller Carbon and has reported that a Binding Offtake Agreement with FCA US LLC was terminated by FCA. The company has stated that it disputes FCA’s right to terminate that agreement and has reserved its rights with respect to the termination. Westwater has indicated that it is adjusting its capital plans and plant optimization to reflect current offtake commitments and available financing.
Technology and intellectual property
Westwater has reported that it filed patent applications related to methods of purifying graphite for use at the Kellyton Graphite Plant and that it received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, followed by issuance of a U.S. patent. The company describes this purification technology as an environmentally focused process that avoids the use of hydrofluoric acid and is intended to support sustainable production of high-purity, battery-grade natural graphite.
Regulatory and policy context
In public statements, Westwater has expressed support for U.S. Department of Commerce determinations in countervailing duty and anti-dumping investigations involving graphite-based anode materials from China. The company has noted that import tariffs and duties arising from these investigations are expected to affect the economics of imported graphite anode materials and may influence demand for U.S.-produced graphite and domestic supply chain development.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- What does Westwater Resources, Inc. do?
Westwater Resources, Inc. describes itself as an energy technology and critical minerals company focused on developing battery-grade natural graphite. Its activities include constructing the Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant in Alabama and advancing the Coosa Graphite Deposit as a source of natural flake graphite.
- What are Westwater’s main graphite projects?
The company identifies two primary graphite projects: the Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant in east-central Alabama and the Coosa Graphite Deposit in Coosa County, Alabama. Coosa is intended to provide long-term feedstock for the Kellyton plant.
- Where is Westwater Resources headquartered?
SEC filings list Westwater Resources, Inc. with offices in Centennial, Colorado.
- On which exchange does Westwater trade and what is its ticker symbol?
Westwater Resources’ common stock trades on the NYSE American under the symbol WWR.
- How is Westwater advancing the Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant?
Westwater has reported ongoing Phase I construction at Kellyton, including installation and commissioning of processing equipment, connection to the Alabama power grid, and operation of a qualification line that produces coated spherical purified graphite samples for customer testing.
- What is the Coosa Graphite Deposit?
The Coosa Graphite Deposit is a natural flake graphite deposit in Coosa County, Alabama, which Westwater describes as the largest and most advanced such deposit in the contiguous United States. The company plans to develop Coosa as a long-term source of feedstock for the Kellyton plant, subject to permitting and further exploration.
- How is Westwater funding its projects?
According to its public disclosures, Westwater has used an at-the-market equity offering program, issued convertible notes to institutional investors, and pursued a secured debt facility to fund construction of the Kellyton plant. The company has also submitted a loan application to the Export-Import Bank of the United States, which has begun due diligence.
- What offtake agreements has Westwater disclosed?
Westwater has referenced offtake agreements with SK On and Hiller Carbon for its planned graphite products. It also entered into a Binding Offtake Agreement with FCA US LLC that FCA later terminated, a termination that Westwater has stated it disputes.
- What graphite purification technology has Westwater developed?
Westwater filed patent applications for graphite purification methods intended for use at the Kellyton Graphite Plant and has reported receiving a Notice of Allowance and a U.S. patent. The company states that its process avoids the use of hydrofluoric acid and is designed to produce high-purity graphite using an environmentally focused approach.
- How does U.S. trade policy factor into Westwater’s business?
Westwater has publicly supported U.S. Department of Commerce determinations imposing countervailing and anti-dumping duties on graphite-based anode materials from China. The company has stated that these measures are expected to benefit domestic anode producers and may influence offtake agreements and financing for U.S.-based graphite projects.