Grafite e grafene i materiali del futuro ? (1 Viewer)

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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Apr 20, 2017) - Energizer Resources Inc. (EGZ.TO)(ENZR)(WKN:A1CXW3) ("Energizer" or the "Company") announces that it has revised Phase 1 of its mine development plan for its 100%-owned Molo Graphite Project in Madagascar to now include significant production and that the completion of an updated Feasibility Study (FS) to reflect this development is imminent.

The Company's decision to initiate an updated FS on its Molo Graphite Project was based on the positive results of the Company's Front-End Engineering and Design Study that was completed this past November and communicated to the market November 7, 2016. Based on these results and a further detailed analysis of the available technical information from the now completed Detailed Engineering Study (which will be reflected in the FS), the Company has decided to develop a fully sustainable graphite mine in Phase 1 of the mine plan of the Molo Graphite Project.

Phase 1 Now Elevated From Planned Demonstration Plant to a Producing Mine" data-reactid="13">Phase 1 Now Elevated From Planned Demonstration Plant to a Producing Mine

15,000 Tonnes Annual Production Estimated" data-reactid="14">15,000 Tonnes Annual Production Estimated

Phase 1 of the Molo mine plan will now consist of the construction of a fully operational and sustainable graphite mine with a permanent processing plant capable of producing approximately 15,000 tonnes per annum ("tpa") of high-quality flake concentrate per year with a mine life of over 20 years. This is a significant increase from the original Phase 1 mine plan that was detailed in the Company's November 7, 2016 news release that envisioned the construction of a demonstration processing plant to produce flake graphite concentrate on a test basis. The Company has now completed a Detailed Engineering Study with respect to the revised Phase 1 mine plan, which demonstrates the viability of a modular build out and supports the anticipated initial production of 15,000 tpa.

The Company expects that, subject to funding, Phase 1 could be completed in approximately 6 months. Once funding is secured, the Company will initiate the Phase 1 build-out, which will include equipment procurement, off-site modular fabrication and assembly, factory acceptance testing (FAT), module disassembly, shipping, plant infrastructure construction, onsite module re-assembly and commissioning.

Phase 2 - Expansion to 53,000 Tonnes of Annual Production" data-reactid="17">Phase 2 - Expansion to 53,000 Tonnes of Annual Production

Phase 2 of the Molo mine plan will consist of the expansion to a fully operational mine capable of producing 53,000 tpa of finished flake graphite concentrate. This expansion will be predicated on market demand for Molo flake graphite during Phase 1 production and will consist of additional mine build-out infrastructure, including construction of a tailings dam facility.

The Company is now preparing for the release of the revised FS and commencement of procurement for the resulting mine infrastructure. Robin Borley, the Company's Senior Vice-President of Operations, and Mr. Johann de Bruin, the former Managing Director of DRA Africa who joined Energizer as a consultant in March, will oversee all aspects regarding the operational readiness of the Company's newly revised Phase 1 Molo mine plan.

The assumptions, parameters and methods in establishing the above estimates are currently being finalized and will be disclosed in the updated and soon to be released Molo Graphite Project Feasibility Study.

 

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Northern Graphite Hires Senior Marketing Consultant

May 9, 2017 – Northern Graphite Corporation (“Northern” or the “Company”) (NGC:TSX-V, NGPHF:OTCQX) is pleased to announce that it has hired Mr. Antonio de Assis as Senior Marketing Consultant. Mr. Assis is a graduate in Business Administration and has over 30 years of international sales and marketing experience. From 2000 until 2006 he was General Manager of Worldwide Sales and Marketing with Nacional de Grafite, the largest graphite producer outside of China. He was also General Manager, Sales and Marketing with Syrah Resources.

Mr. Assis will develop a comprehensive marketing plan for Northern Graphite with respect to products, markets, prices, customers and value added manufacturing based on his years of experience with the refractory, battery, automotive, electronics and steel markets. The marketing plan will form the basis for strategic partnership and offtake discussions and will be completed after the end of his existing contractual obligations.

Gregory Bowes, Chief Executive Officer, commented that; “The graphite market tends to be secretive and opaque and Mr. Assis will provide the benefit of deep, hands on experience in the industry. We believe Northern already has the lowest marketing risk of any new project because our Bissett Creek deposit has the best flake size distribution in the industry, its production level will be realistic given the size of the market, and it will not have the fines problem which characterizes almost every graphite mine. Mr. Assis will assist us in maximizing the value of the high quality resource at Bissett Creek.“

About Northern Graphite
Northern is a Canadian company that has a 100% interest in the Bissett Creek graphite deposit located in southern Canada, relatively close to all required infrastructure. Bissett Creek is an advanced stage project that has a Full Feasibility Study and its major environmental permit. Subject to the completion of operational and species at risk permitting, which are well advanced, Northern could commence construction in 2017 pending financing. The Company believes that in addition to having the best flake size distribution and lowest marketing risk of any new graphite project, Bissett Creek has the highest margin and the added advantage of low capital costs.

 

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Leading Edge Materials Stakes Rotmyran Lithium Project in Sweden
Published by Craig P at 9th May 2017
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Vancouver, Canada – Leading Edge Materials Corp. (“Leading Edge Materials”) or (the “Company”) (TSXV: LEM) (OTCQB: LEMIF) is pleased to announce the staking of a new lithium project in Sweden. The Rotmyran project lies 20km north of Bergby, where the Company recently announced (see press release dated 25th April, 2017) the discovery of high grade lithium mineralization in drilling.

Following the success of drilling at Bergby, Rotmyran was selected as a high priority target based on the geological similarity to Bergby plus presence of a strong tin (Sn) – lithium (Li) till anomaly in Swedish Geological Survey data. Rotmyran was held by the Swedish Government mining company LKAB during the 1980’s when pegmatite outcrops and boulders bearing the lithium mineral petalite, the tin mineral cassiterite and anomalous tantalum (Ta) was discovered. Such features are supportive of the presence of highly prospective LCT (lithium-cesium-tantalum) pegmatites, similar to those found at Bergby.

Blair Way, President and CEO, stated “Following on from the success we have had in discovering high grade lithium mineralization at Bergby, we have been on the lookout for other equally prospective areas. Rotmyran shows many similar features to Bergby, and can be rapidly tested during the coming summer season. This project sits well within our strategy of acquiring low holding cost assets while we advance our graphite business model to supply the lithium Ion battery market.”

The Rotmyran project lies in central Sweden, 20km south of the town of Soderhamn, secured by one exploration license that covers a total of 1,019 Ha. The site is close to infrastructure, with major roads, rail and power supply passing immediately adjacent to the claim boundaries.

Europe is playing a leading role in the transition to low-carbon energy generation from renewable sources, and the efficient storage of that energy. Electric mobility (EV’s, HEV, PHEV’s) and stationary electricity storage are dependent on high purity graphite, lithium and cobalt, where Leading Edge Materials is an active European player. Lithium has a strong and expanding market, due to the essential role it plays in lithium-based batteries for the automotive, consumer product and stationary electrify storage industries. The high electrochemical potential of lithium results in the high power to weight ratio that is essential for efficient mobile batteries.

 

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Zenyatta Nano-Material Successfully Tested in Advanced Silicon-Graphene Anode for new Lithium Ion Batteries by a U.S. Based Advanced Materials Company

Thunder Bay, ON

16 May 2017

Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. (“Zenyatta” or “Company”) (TSXV: ZEN) is pleased to announce the successful testing of the Company’s graphene oxide material by a leading U.S. based advanced materials company (‘U.S. Co.’) developing silicon-graphene anodes for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries. Preliminary results show ease of processing with Zenyatta’s graphene oxide and similar electrochemical performance compared to the control material that is currently being used by U.S. Co. The superior dispersion qualities and good electrochemical performance of the Company’s graphene oxide are desirable properties for this silicon-graphene battery application. Zenyatta’s high-purity graphite was recently converted to graphene oxide by Dr. Aicheng Chen, Professor at Lakehead University, and then sent to the U.S. Co. for testing as an advanced nano-material in a new Lithium-ion battery.

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used globally for portable electronic devices and electric vehicles. Unfortunately, lithium-ion batteries still lack the required level of energy storage to completely meet the demands of such applications as electric vehicles. A new silicon-graphene composite anode enables higher capacity and faster charging batteries that could meet consumer demand for increasing power and range.

Aubrey Eveleigh, President and CEO of Zenyatta, commented, “Given the present limitations on the existing lithium-ion battery, the World needs to develop a super-battery. Silicon-graphene is the next generation anode being developed for batteries by many advanced material companies. Zenyatta’s graphene oxide has properties that make it a suitable material to be used with silicon in these next generation Lithium-ion batteries. While silicon has many times the capacity of graphite, it cannot be used alone due to rapid degradation. A significant amount of research has been carried out to encapsulate silicon in a graphene material to enhance the cycle life while also increasing charge capacity and durability for advanced lithium-ion batteries.”

Mr. Eveleigh added “We are very excited with the potential of our graphene to play a key role as a component of the next generation batteries. The adaption of silicon-graphene based anode batteries could further accelerate the fast growing market for energy storage, especially for the automotive sector. Having a consistent and high quality raw material source in North America for an end-user’s supply chain is critical in order to maintain long term quality control for product specifications.”

U.S. Co. will continue to carry out advanced testing on Zenyatta’s graphene oxide for use in Lithium-ion anode composite material. Additional testing will include the determination of the following:

• Aqueous dispersion quality;
• Compatibility with processing method and yield;
• Electrochemical performance; and,
• Characterization of the composite material.

 

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Leading Edge Materials Provides Update on High Purity Battery Graphite Qualification from the Woxna Project, Sweden
Published by Craig P at 18th May 2017
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Vancouver, Canada – Leading Edge Materials Corp. (“Leading Edge Materials”) or (the Company”) (TSXV:LEM) (OTCQB: LEMIF) is pleased to announce test results from ten 18650 lithium ion battery cells manufactured using high purity graphite from the Company’s Woxna mine and processing facility in Sweden. 18650 battery cells are the “industry standard” for testing battery performance, equivalent to those manufactured by Panasonic and used in Tesla electric vehicles.

Production of 18650 format cells has enabled a more comprehensive test of the performance of Woxna high purity graphite in lithium ion batteries. The batteries bearing Woxna graphite were tested using High Precision Coulometry (“HPC”) to measure anode performance and stability under “real-world” conditions. Test results are positive and encourage LEM to proceed further with battery material qualification. The next stage of testing will include expanded 18650 battery cell manufacture and undertaking more exhaustive material and performance testing.

Highlights of the latest test work include:

• Strong and consistent battery cell capacity over 2 Ah
• High coulombic efficiency (CE) trending over 99%
• Excellent results for natural flake graphite anode materials

Blair Way, President and CEO, stated “It is rewarding to see the progress made in the testing of our Woxna graphite for the lithium ion battery market. 18650 cells were manufactured using over 4kg of Woxna high purity graphite, and provide the best test of graphite anode performance under real world conditions, well beyond the testing possible on smaller coin cells. The HPC test results are encouraging and I look forward to continuing this qualification process.”

A large quantity of commercial graphite flotation concentrate from the Woxna mine in Sweden was shipped to an independent laboratory in the United States for spheronising and thermal purification. This high purity graphite was used to produce anode material for the manufacture of 18650 battery cells. These cells were tested with HPC to estimate the cell life cycle capability. HPC measures coulombic efficiency (“CE”) which is the loss of electrons per cycle, by accurately measuring the charge delivered during discharge against the charge stored during charging. The closer the coulombic efficiency gets to 100% the longer the life of the battery. At 100% CE the battery life is infinite, which has not been achieved to date in any lithium ion battery. The company will provide further updates as test work and qualification progresses.

 

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TSX VENTURE APPROVES LOMIKO DEAL WITH SHD SMART HOME DEVICES LTD TO


MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTE AND SELL INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT) BASED DEVICES

Vancouver, B.C May 19, 2017 Lomiko Metals Inc. (“Lomiko”) (TSX-V: LMR, OTC: LMRMF, FSE:


DH8C) Lomiko Metals Inc. has received approval and the TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing

documentation related to an agreement dated March 15, 2017, between Lomiko Metals Inc. (the

“Company”), engineering partners MegaHertz Power Systems Ltd. (“Megahertz”) and SHD Smart Home

Devices Ltd. (“SHD”), to accelerate the launch of the USB Spider Charger, whereby the Company will

contribute to SHD any and all R&D, trademarks, it’s e-commerce website, contacts and intellectual property

(the “Lomiko Assets”) created under it’s previous license agreements with MegaHertz.

In consideration for the above, SHD will recognize the Lomiko Assets at a gross conditional value of

$474,633 Cdn. and issue to Lomiko, 659,213 common shares, at a deemed value of $0.72 per share, in

lieu of cash payment for the Lomiko Assets. In turn, SHD shall assume all past, current and future

obligations of Lomiko to MegaHertz under the License Agreements and the Addendum thereto, and

MegaHertz agrees to accept the assumption by SHD of any and all such obligations of Lomiko to

MegaHertz.

Also, under the agreement, Lomiko has issued 600,000 shares to SHD, having a hold period ending

September 20, 2017, to receive an additional 208,333 shares of SHD common stock at the deemed price

of $0.72 per share.

SHD is a company jointly launched by Lomiko and MegaHertz February 16, 2016, focused on Internet of

Things (IoT) devices. SHD will develop, contract manufacture, distribute and sell Spider Chargers and

related devices. Under the existing agreements, Lomiko and MegaHertz have been working on completing

safety certification for the Power Converter for LED lighting systems, the USB Spider Charger devices and

coordinating partnerships with manufacturers located in China, India and Canada.

"SHD has an incredible opportunity to participate in a burgeoning IoT and Smart Device market.", stated A.

Paul Gill, CEO., "Major companies such as Leviton, Legrand, Pass and Seymour and others have

recognized this new market and have launched similar devices."

There are currently 130 million established households in North America and a healthy seasonally adjusted

annualized rate of 1.3 million housing starts. In addition, offices, hotels and coffee shops are also potential

markets for USB charging devices. If only one or two USB charging devices are installed in new homes and

retro-fitted into current homes undergoing renovations, there will be a healthy demand for these IOT

products. Smart Home DevicesLtd. plans to enter into negotiations to sell the Spider Charger and other

related devices in North American markets with IOT distributors and builders. Lomiko will share its network

of industry connections to help grow the venture and then enjoy the SHD equity multiplier without being

burdened with any engineering, new product development, IP or associated marketing costs as the Spider

charger and SHD suite of IoT products are rolled out.

 

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Zenyatta’s Graphene Enhanced Concrete Pilot Project Advances with Larisplast and Ben-Gurion University in Israel

Thunder Bay, ON

25 May, 2017

Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. (“Zenyatta” or “Company”) (TSXV: ZEN) is pleased to announce that the next phase to test a concrete admixture containing graphene is progressing through their Collaboration Agreement with Larisplast Ltd. (“Larisplast”), an Israeli business that specializes in the field of concrete admixtures. The 10 kg market sample of high-purity graphite that was sent to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel (“BGU”) will allow for the testing and optimization of a much larger volume of concrete which could be in a range between 5 and 10 tonnes. Zenyatta and Larisplast have both received grant funding from the Canada-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation under the Ontario-Israel Collaboration.

The main objective of this pilot plant is to further test a much larger volume of concrete utilizing an admixture containing Albany derived graphene (Figure below). The scientific and engineering data obtained will yield valuable information for potentially designing a larger scale demonstration plant. In 2016 BGU demonstrated that the addition of the Company’s graphene into concrete can achieve a faster curing time and a superior mechanical performance that inhibits premature failure and tolerates large forces like those produced during earthquakes or explosions. Also, this new admixture has the potential to reduce the amount of cement that will be used in construction, thereby considerably cutting carbon dioxide emissions related to its production.

Professor Oren Regev, Department of Chemical Engineering, BGU and Project Manager, with Mr. Roey Nadiv M.Sc., Project Engineer, holding containers of well dispersed graphene which was easily converted from‎ high-purity Zenyatta graphite. This material is to be mixed into an admixture for concrete production.



Aubrey Eveleigh, President and CEO stated, “We are pleased to be in the next stage of testing to demonstrate the viability of this exciting technology to enhance concrete properties with nano-graphite derived from Zenyatta’s Albany deposit. This initiative represents an important new and valuable target market for Albany graphite as the potential market size for a new concrete admixture with superior qualities is extremely large.”

In November 2016 Zenyatta delivered 10 kilograms of high-purity Albany graphite to BGU that has now been converted to graphene for optimization and testing. BGU will first test the graphene and then the material will be supplied to Larisplast for testing as a concrete admixture. The testwork will include the following:

• BGU will perform a variety of quality control measurements;
• BGU will run a series of dispersion experiments on Zenyatta’s graphene;
• Larisplast and BGU will employ the optimized procedure using scaled-up infrastructure;
• The optimized graphene dispersion will then be incorporated into concrete composites;
• The produced graphene reinforced concrete will be tested for both short and long term strength and compressive and flexural stresses;
• Larisplast will adjust and optimize the scaled-up process.

About Larisplast

Larisplast is an industry leader in Israel specializing in the field of concrete admixtures. The company develops, produces, markets and distributes high-quality products and materials for the Israel concrete industry according to strict Israeli‘s standards. Larisplast operates on a nationwide basis in Israel and is currently developing international markets and distribution channels.

About Zenyatta

Zenyatta is developing the Albany Graphite Deposit situated in northeastern Ontario, Canada. The deposit is a unique type of igneous-hosted, fluid-derived graphite mineralization contained in two large breccia pipes. The Company is seeking end users for their graphite and graphene and is working with several collaborative partners including the development of a graphene enhanced concrete. Other potential markets for graphite include Lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells and powder metallurgy. The application for graphitic material is constantly evolving due to its unique chemical, electrical and thermal properties. It maintains its stability and strength under temperatures in excess of 3,000°C and is very resistant to chemical corrosion. It is also one of the lightest of all reinforcing elements and has high natural lubricating abilities. The outlook for the global graphite market is very promising with demand growing rapidly from new applications. It is now considered one of the more strategic elements by many leading industrial nations, particularly for its growing importance in high technology manufacturing and in the emerging “green” industries such as electric vehicle components.

The Albany graphite deposit is situated 30 km north of the Trans-Canada Highway, power line and natural gas pipeline near the communities of Constance Lake First Nation and Hearst. A rail line is located 70 km away with an all-weather road approximately 10 km from the graphite deposit. The world trend is to develop products for technological applications that need extraordinary performance using ultra-high purity graphite powder at an affordable cost. Albany graphite can be upgraded with very good crystallinity without the use of aggressive acids (hydrofluoric) or high temperature thermal treatment therefore having an environmental advantage over other types of upgraded high-purity graphite material.

 

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LOMIKO TO EXPAND CARBON PURITY AND CLASSIFICATION


TESTING AT LA LOUTRE

Vancouver, B.C and Montreal, Quebec May 29, 2017– Lomiko Metals Inc. (“Lomiko”) (TSX-V: LMR,

OTC: LMRMF, FSE: DH8C/DH8B) and Canada Strategic Metals Inc. (“Strategic Metals””) (TSX.V: CJC;


FSE: YXEN; OTC-BB: CJCFF) plan to conduct further graphite purity and characterization testing at La

Loutre based on recent high-grade drill results. The only graphite purity and characterization information

on the property was first reported September 24, 2014 from samples obtained previous to drilling

campaigns at La Loutre. Testing material from the recent drill holes will provide more accurate information

on material that has high purity, contains large flakes and is located near surface. This information will be

valuable for the upcoming Pre-Economic Assessment (PEA).

On February 9th, 2016, Lomiko Metals and Canada Strategic announced a resource for the La Loutre Flake


Graphite Property of 18.4 M Tonnes of 3.19% Indicated and 16.7 M Tonnes at 3.75% Flake Graphite

Inferred with a cut-off of 1.5%. The sensitivity table also features 4.1 M Tonnes of 6.5% Indicated and 6.2

M Tonnes at 6.1% Flake Graphite Inferred with a cut-off of 3%. The results are all focused on the Graphene-


Battery Zone.

A map of drill holes at the Refractory Zone which includes 2015 and 2016 results and highlights included


7.74% graphite over 135.60 metres including 16.81% graphite over 44.10 metres from hole LL-16-01, two

different intersection in hole LL-16-02 reporting 17.08% graphite over 22.30 metres and 14.80% graphite

over 15.10 metres and 110.80 metres of 14.56% Graphite in Hole LL-16-03.

The La Loutre property consists of contiguous claim blocks totalling approximately 2,867.29 hectares

(28,67 km2) situated approximately 53 km east of Imerys Carbon and Graphite, formerly known as the


Timcal Graphite Mine, North America’s only operating graphite mine, and 117 km northwest of Montreal.

Previous carbon purity and graphite characterization at La Loutre were encouraging:

 

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Leading Edge Materials Intersects Further High Grade Lithium at Bergby, Sweden
Published by Craig P at 5th June 2017
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Results Include 8.8m @ 2.63% Lithium Oxide from 1.1m Depth

Vancouver, Canada – Leading Edge Materials Corp. (“Leading Edge Materials”) or (“the Company”) (TSXV:LEM) (OTCQB: LEMIF) is pleased to announce additional high grade lithium results from a further seven diamond drill holes at the Company’s 100% owned Bergby lithium project in Sweden. Furthermore, re-assay results from the first five drillholes reported 25th April 2017 are also provided, which has on average increased the grade of lithium mineralized intersections for these holes. Key Results:

• BBY17006 intersected 4.45m @ 1.44% Li2O (lithium oxide) from 11.55m depth
• BBY17007 intersected 4.65m @ 2.71% Li2O, 315ppm Ta2O5 (tantalum oxide) from 1.40m depth
• BBY17008 intersected 8.75m @ 2.63% Li2O, 186ppm Ta2O5 from 1.10m depth
• BBY17009 intersected 1.20m @ 2.68% Li2O from 14.80m depth; and 1.10 m @ 2.44% Li2O from 24.55m depth
• BBY17010 intersected 8.80m @ 1.11% Li2O, 98ppm Ta2O5 from 27.55m depth
• BBY17011 intersected 6.75m @ 1.87% Li2O, 191ppm Ta2O5 from 0.70m depth
• BBY17012 intersected 1.65m @ 1.14% Li2O from 2.20m depth

Following a review of assay values for lithium reference standard samples within the batch of analytical results for drillholes BBY17001 to BBY17005 as reported 25th April 2017, assay contractor ALS Ltd were requested to complete a re-assay of all samples using a technique better suited to high lithium grades. Grades increased significantly for three holes, and decreased slightly for two holes, as follows:

• BBY17001 intersected 1.45m @ 0.77% Li2O from 4.85m depth (26% increase from 0.61% Li2O)
• BBY17002 intersected 3.95m @ 1.83% Li2O from 0.00m depth (24% increase from 1.48% Li2O)
• BBY17003 intersected 8.20m @ 2.06% Li2O from 2.85m depth (34% increase from 1.54% Li2O)
• BBY17004 intersected 1.90m @ 2.26% Li2O from 10.20m depth (3% decrease from 2.35% Li2O)
• BBY17005 intersected 10.45m @ 1.58% Li2O from 2.20m depth (3% decrease from 1.62% Li2O)

Blair Way, President and CEO, stated “The Bergby lithium project continues to deliver very encouraging high grade drill results at very shallow depth. Mineralization has been discovered in every drill hole to date, and we look forward to advancing the prospect quickly from here. In addition to lithium, regular elevated grades of tantalum are also being discovered. While the need to re-state drill intersections due to assay accuracy is always frustrating, the increased average grade for the first five drill holes is a worthy reward.”

Bergby lies in central Sweden, 25km north of the town of Gävle, secured by three exploration licenses that cover a total of 1,903 Ha. The site is close to infrastructure, with major roads, rail and power supply passing immediately adjacent to the claim boundaries. Holes reported within this release lie within a 150m x 80m area near a lithium mineralized pegmatite outcrop. Mineralization drilled to date lies very close to surface, and extends from the outcrop beneath thin glacial soil cover. Intersections often include elevated levels of tantalum (see Table 2 for all mineralized intersections). The true thickness of the mineralized interval is interpreted to be approximately 90% of the sampled thickness. Further drill results will be released as they become available. Europe is playing a leading role in the transition to low-carbon energy generation from renewable sources, and the efficient storage of that energy. Electric mobility (EV’s, HEV, PHEV’s) and stationary electricity storage are dependent on high purity graphite, lithium and cobalt, where Leading Edge Materials is an active European player. Lithium has a strong and expanding market, due to the essential role it plays in lithium-based batteries for the automotive, consumer product and stationary electrify storage industries. The high electrochemical potential of lithium results in the high power to weight ratio that is essential for efficient mobile batteries.

 

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NextSource Materials Inc. Announces Positive Updated Feasibility Study for Phase 1 Modular Mine Production of 17,000 Tonnes Per Year
Posted at 8:30 a.m. on June 1, 2017


NEWS RELEASE – June 1, 2017

Highlights:

• The updated Feasibility Study results verify positive economics for Phase 1 of the Molo mine, which will utilize a unique, fully-modular build approach taking into account current-day flake graphite prices

• The updated Feasibility Study is based on Front End Engineering and Design (FEED), and Detailed Engineering studies as opposed to a Basic Engineering study

• Phase 1 will consist of a fully operational and sustainable graphite mine with a permanent processing plant capable of producing approximately 17,000 tonnes per annum (“tpa”) of high-quality SuperFlake™ graphite concentrate per year with a mine life of 30 years

• A build cost of US$18.4 million confirms that the Molo Project will have the lowest capital mine cost (CAPEX) of any new and competing graphite project

• Phase 1 will realize a pre-tax internal rate of return (IRR) of 25.2%, a post-tax IRR of 21.6%

• Project Operating costs (OPEX) include all-in costs for freight and insurance (CIF) to ship Molo SuperFlake™ concentrate to international European port (Rotterdam) and verifies Molo OPEX as one of the lowest in the industry on a full-cost, CIF basis

• Phase 1 build time of 9 months

• Based on the positive results of the updated Feasibility Study, the Company will be initiating an economic analysis for eventual Phase 2 expansion that will incorporate its unique modular approach to produce approximately 50,000 tpa of finished SuperFlake™ graphite concentrate

NextSource Materials Inc. (TSX:NEXT) (OTCQB:NSRC) (“NextSource” or “the Company”), is pleased to report the positive results of its updated Feasibility Study (“updated FS”) for its 100%-owned Molo Graphite Project in southern Madagascar. The updated FS was undertaken to reflect the Company’s decision to revise Phase 1 of its Molo mine plan from a demonstration plant to a fully operational and sustainable graphite mine with a permanent processing plant capable of producing approximately 17,000 tpa of high-quality SuperFlake™ concentrate per year with a mine life of 30 years.



The updated FS for Phase 1 of the Molo Project was based on a Front End Engineering and Design study (FEED), and subsequent Detailed Engineering studies. The updated FS incorporates the procurement of all mining equipment, off-site modular fabrication and assembly, factory acceptance testing (FAT), module disassembly, shipping, plant infrastructure construction, onsite module re-assembly, commissioning, project contingencies and three months of capital. All capital and operating costs expressed below are considered to be accurate to +/- 10%.





Craig Scherba, P.Geo., President and CEO of NextSource commented,



“We are very pleased with the results of the updated Feasibility Study. It verifies that Phase one of our Molo mine plan is economically viable using an industry first, fully modular build approach under current and realistic market conditions and reaffirms the Company’s strategy of using a two-phased approach to establish the Molo as a world-class producer of high-quality flake graphite. Phase one will be implemented with an incredibly low capital cost, competitive operating costs and with an initial production volume that can be easily absorbed into the current market. This will allow us to quickly penetrate the market, generate revenue and establish strong relationships with key buyers.


These results are a significant achievement given the very difficult reality that every junior graphite project is currently facing; depressed graphite prices coupled with high project capital costs that render almost every immerging graphite project as non-economical, and therefore non-fundable until market conditions improve. For Molo to realize a post-tax IRR of over 21% under these current market conditions is considerable and can be attributed to our unique modular build methodology, which provides us with a tremendous first-mover and economic advantage over other companies. Our end goal is Phase two production, where we can expect even better enhancements to the project economics through economies of scale, which is expected to further decrease operating costs on a per tonne basis. Based on the positive results of our updated FS, the Company will be initiating an economic analysis that will incorporate our unique modular approach for Phase 2 expansion, which will produce approximately 50,000 tpa of SuperFlake™.”



As the Company did for its previous 2015 Molo FS, this updated FS uses an all-in OPEX cost for freight and insurance (CIF) to ship Molo SuperFlake™ concentrate to the end customer’s port, which is how graphite is sold. As a conservative scenario, the CIF transportation costs were based on shipping to the European port of Rotterdam, Netherlands. Based on disclosed market information, no other competing graphite project who has released results of either a preliminary economic assessment or a feasibility study have included an all-in CIF transportation cost as part of their respective OPEX; they typically report an “at the plant” OPEX cost only, which results in a higher NPV and Internal Rate of Return.

The NPV and IRR stated below factors in an OPEX that accounts for all-in CIF transportation costs to customer port.

Updated Phase 1 Feasibility Study Results Highlights(1)


Pre-Tax

Post-Tax

NPV at 8% Discount Rate

$34.0 M

$25.5 M

Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

25.2%

21.6%

Payback Period

4.2 years

4.8 years

Average annual graphite concentrate production

17,000 tonnes

Average production costs of graphite concentrate (at plant)

$432.92/ tonne

Average production costs of graphite concentrate (Delivered CIF Port of Rotterdam)

$688.43 / tonne



Weighted average selling price (in USD)

$1,014 / tonne

Direct CAPEX

$14.5 M

Indirect CAPEX

$0.4 M

Environmental and Permitting

$0.7 M



Owner’s Costs

$1.1 M



Contingency (10%)

$1.7 M

Sub Total CAPEX

$18.4 M

Working Capital (3 months)

$3.1 M



Total CAPEX

$21.5 M



Projected build period

9 months

• Unless otherwise noted, all monetary figures presented throughout this press release are expressed in US dollars (USD). The exchange rates used in the financial model are 12.85 South African Rand (ZAR) to US$1, moving in line with purchasing power parity
• Direct CAPEX includes process equipment, civil & infrastructure, mining, buildings, electrical infrastructure, project & construction services