Graphite resurgence tempts investors

NBN director Simon Hackett is the latest high-profile investor to get in on the graphite boom, which is being fuelled by the increasing use of battery-reliant technology such as smartphones and electric cars.

Mr Hackett, who is awaiting delivery of the latest Tesla electric car, told Nine’s Financial Review Sunday he recently bought shares in South Australia’s Valence Industries , the country’s only graphite-producing miner. Valance is among 20 or so ASX-listed graphite companies, most of which are only at the exploration phase, that have experienced surging share prices.