Pilot Programme Confirms Very High Graphite Yields
Black Earth Minerals (ASX:BEM) has successfully completion the Large Scale Pilot Programme on material from its Maniry Large Flake Graphite in Madagascar.
The results have confirmed very high yields and coarse flake production that are consistent with positive results previously published.
Managing Director, Tom Revy, said the high fixed carbon (FC) results averaging 95.87% further demonstrated that Maniry Graphite Concentrate is highly suitable to the production of Lithium-ion batteries and could be used extensively in the production of Electric Vehicles (EV’s).
“The successful completion of the Pilot Program is a milestone moment for our company,” Mr Revy said.
“Not only are the results better than we had expected, they also validate our developed strategy to build a plant that can produce high grade graphite concentrate to meet the expanding demand for graphite.
“Additionally, Maniry graphite, once produced on a commercial scale, will immediately feed our proposed expandable graphite production plant in India and also be available to meet the demand from EV manufacturers and their supply chain.
“In the short term, the data from the Pilot Program will be used to complete our DFS, confirm our mining licenses in Madagascar and finalise our well progressed in country environmental and ESG plans.”
Pilot Program technical results
Following initial tests and modifications, the balance of the 54 tonnes of graphite ore were processed to assess the achievement of results with higher volumes.
The overall results were outstanding with over 40% of concentrate produced falling within the medium – jumbo flake category and over 30% in the large / jumbo flake category.
All of this was achieved whilst maintaining average FC% results of 95.87% which ranks Graphite produced from Maniry as some of the highest grade, large and jumbo flake product in the World.
Ore to concentrate recovery was 85.96% with concentrate yields of 6.56% achieved. Mr Revy said these achievements, too, are world class and these factors are consistent with low-cost production operations.
Benefits of results achieved
The Pilot Program results have confirmed Maniry Graphite as suitable for a number of uses and this diversification provides the Company with a number of unique strategic advantages.
Firstly, the results indicate that Maniry graphite concentrate is highly suitable for the production of expandable graphite, and it is planned that a portion of this high grade, larger flake product will feed the Company’s proposed expandable graphite production plant with our proposed JV partner, Metachem. The guarantee of a suitable feed source to the processing plant provides the JV with certainty of production.
Secondly, the Company continues to hold discussions with several potential buyers of its mid and fine flake, high grade product including RHI Magnesita. The demand for this concentrate from traditional users of graphite concentrate continues to grow and we are well positioned to supply product to this market in an environment of strong growth and continued increases in market prices.
And finally, the Pilot Program results demonstrate that Maniry concentrate can be produced to an exceptionally high FC level, while other technical attributes validate the concentrates’ use in the production of EV’s and the alternative energy market.
Whilst concentrate produced to a 94- 95% FC level is highly desired for the EV and battery production market, product already processed to a level exceeding 95.5% FC is very rare in the world supply market and will achieve a material pricing premium.
For further information please visit: https://www.blackearthminerals.com.au
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