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

[PIZZODIGINO]

Northern Graphite Successfully Completes Additional Battery Material Testing

April 5, 2018 – Northern Graphite Corporation (“Northern” or the “Company”) (NGC:TSX-V, NGPHF:OTCQX) announces that additional testing has confirmed that lithium ion battery (“LiB”) anode material made from concentrates from its Bissett Creek deposit meet or exceed current commercial specifications. The test work was carried out by the Beijing General Research Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (“BGRIMM”), a Chinese state owned metallurgical research and development company.

Test results indicate that the crystallinity, yield and specific surface area (5.652 m2/g for 16µ material) of the Bissett Creek material were all better than industry standards. A yield of 50 per cent was achieved on a batch basis and can potentially be increased to 70 per cent with a continuous, commercial process. The tap density was 1 g/cm3 which is comparable to existing products.

Gregory Bowes, CEO, commented that: “essentially all Bissett Creek production could theoretically be turned into a premium LiB anode material because of its outstanding crystallinity, flake size and purity, and this differentiates it from most other deposits. However, large and extra large flake concentrates are too valuable to be used in this manner.” He added: “the high percentage of large and XL flake at Bissett Creek provides a strategic alternative of initially focussing on high value, high margin industrial markets rather than the battery market, which is currently very competitive and dominated by Chinese producers.”

BGRIMM has commenced a second study to evaluate the Company’s LiB anode material (also called spherical graphite or “SPG”), with respect to purification, coating and electrochemical performance. Purification in particular is a key step in manufacturing SPG. The tests will enable the Company to benchmark the results against its own patent pending purification technology. The Company’s technology, jointly developed with Hatch Inc., potentially represents the first cost competitive, environmentally sustainable alternative to Chinese methods of manufacturing anode material for the rapidly growing electric vehicle and grid storage markets.

About BGRIMM
BGRIMM is a premier Chinese institute in the field of mining and metallurgical technology and operates directly under the Chinese Government (SASAC). It has over 4,000 employees, is headquartered in Beijing and has operations in a number of provinces including Hebei, Jiangsu, Liaoning and Hunan as well as Santiago, Chile. BGRIMM has been conducting research on graphite since the 1970s and its services include mining, mineral processing (process development, flotation and reagent optimization and equipment design), and purification and downstream processing. It has completed a number of key national projects in recent years.

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

MONTREAL , April 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mason Graphite Inc. (“ Mason Graphite” or the “Company”) (TSX.V:LLG) (OTCQX:MGPHF) is pleased to announce that Mario Felicetti has joined the Company as Vice-President, Sales effective immediately. In the immediate future, he will be based in Amsterdam and will eventually relocate to the Company’s Head Office in Montreal .

Mario Felicetti , MBA, Eng., is a Chemical Engineer with more than 15 years of experience in Sales and Marketing in several industrial areas including the last 5 years with Johnson Matthey , a global leader in sustainable technologies, where he had a special focus on energy storage materials. He was instrumental in defining and implementing their global commercial strategy as he negotiated several multiyear contracts with Li-ion battery manufacturers. He managed five regional sales offices in Tokyo , Seoul , Shanghai , Munich and Montreal through which he successfully commercialized new materials for cathodes and anodes.

As he joins the team, Mario will further advance discussions with customers, establish the required sales structure and develop the customers’ needs management system on which the production planning system will be based.

Benoît Gascon, President and CEO of Mason Graphite commented: “We are very enthusiastic and eager to have Mario join us. After spending some time with our team in Montreal and reviewing the development work achieved so far, we all believe that he is the perfect fit for the Company and the upcoming commercialization of our battery materials. Having said this, his experience also includes several other industrial fields and Mario will be instrumental in the commercialization of our graphite products across all applications where he will be able to leverage our team’s experience.”

The management team of Mason Graphite has a proven track record in the commercialization of graphite products in all major applications and geographic areas. This is the result of a continuous effort to establish and maintain strong and long-term relationships with customers as well as properly understanding and meeting their specific needs. Flexibility to meet those needs, which can be significantly different from an application to another, was therefore incorporated right from the beginning in the design of Mason Graphite’s operations.

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

Leading Edge Materials Reports Quarterly Results to January 31, 2018
Published by Craig P at 4th April 2018
Categories

• Regulatory news

Tags

download pdf of press release here

Vancouver, Canada – Leading Edge Materials Corp. (“Leading Edge Materials”) or (the “Company”) (TSXV: LEM) (OTCQB: LEMIF) (Nasdaq First North: LEMSE) announces first quarter results for the period ending Jan 31, 2018. All amounts in this release are in Canadian dollars.

Leading Edge Materials achieved two milestones during the first quarter of 2018. In December 2017 the Company completed an application to dual list on the Nasdaq First North in Stockholm, where trading commenced January 22, 2018.

Furthermore, the Company was a raw material industry representative within the EU Battery Alliance, a forum comprised of more than 50 of Europe’s strongest corporate voices within the emerging lithium ion battery sector, plus numerous support and government agencies. This culminated in February 2018 with the delivery of an action plan to the European Commission to support then creation of a competitive and sustainable battery cell manufacturing in Europe and a full EU-based value chain.

Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial information is derived from the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Fiscal 2018 Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2016
Three Months Ended January 31,


2018

$

October 31,


2017

$

July 31,


2017

$

April 30,


2017

$

January 31,


2017

$

October 31,


2016

$

July 31,


2016

$

April 30,


2016

$

Operations
Expenses (1,979,241) (843,952) (598,339) (661,022) (669,396) (2,060,555) (454,144) (460,150)
Other items 42,816 75,938 (85,392) (59,749) (78,116) 63,761 19,661 10,467
Net loss (1,936,425) (768,014) (683,731) (720,771) (747,512) (1,996,794) (434,483) (449,683)
Basic and diluted


loss per share

(0.02) (0.00) (0.01) (0.01) (0.01) (0.04) (0.01) (0.01)
Dividends per share Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
Financial Position
Working capital 2,698,150 3,490,760 4,430,469 3,980,145 3,582,767 2,436,641 1,947,010 2,314,419
Total assets 36,902,593 37,915,728 39,267,743 38,320,958 36,893,309 36,037,751 19,632,405 18,808,738
Total non-current liabilities (8,204,190) (8,330,321) (9,557,984) (8,967,308) (7,942,687) (8,072,937) (8,272,979) (7,057,850)
Results of Operations

Three Months Ended January 31, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended October 31, 2017

During the three months ended January 31, 2018 (“Q1/2018”) the Company reported a net loss of $1,936,425 compared to a net loss of $768,014 for the prior three months ended October 31, 2017 (“Q4/2017”), for an increase in loss of $1,168,411. The increase in loss was primarily attributed to the recognition of share-based compensation of $1,168,525 on the granting of stock options in Q1/2018. No stock options were granted or vested in Q4/2017.

Financial Condition / Capital Resources

During the Q1/2018 period the Company recorded a net loss of $1,936,425 and, as at January 31, 2018, had an accumulated deficit of $24,604,464 and working capital of $2,698,150. The Company is maintaining its Woxna Graphite Mine on a “production-ready” basis to minimize costs. The Company currently has no significant budget allocated for the Norra Kärr rare earth element (“REE”) project. Although the Company has sufficient funding to meet anticipated levels of corporate administration and overheads for the ensuing twelve months it anticipates that it may need additional capital to recommence operations at the Woxna Graphite Mine and/or upgrade the plant to produce value added production. There is no assurance such additional capital will be available to the Company on acceptable terms or at all. In the longer term the recoverability of the carrying value of the Company’s long-lived assets is dependent upon the Company’s ability to preserve its interest in the underlying mineral property interests, the discovery of economically recoverable reserves, the achievement of profitable operations and the ability of the Company to obtain financing to support its ongoing exploration programs and mining operations. Whether the Company can generate positive cash flow and, ultimately, achieve profitability is uncertain. These uncertainties may cast significant doubt upon the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Financings

During fiscal 2017 the Company completed private placement financings of 4,004,222 units at $0.45 per unit and 3,636,364 units at $0.55 per unit for total gross proceeds of $3,801,900. In addition, the Company issued 1,026,916 common shares on the exercise of share options and warrants for $427,491.

Summary and Outlook

Leading Edge Materials had a successful 2017 and anticipates progress on many fronts during the coming year. The Company progressed value adding research on the Woxna graphite project which will be further advanced in 2018. The drill program on the Company’s Bergby lithium project revealed encouraging results which will be followed up. Research and development work on the Nora Kärr REE project achieved significant milestones and it is anticipated further optimization work shall be undertaken during 2018.

The Company maintains the Woxna plant in an operation ready status, running it on an as needs basis to provide feedstock product for value added test work. Leading Edge Materials is working with potential customers to identify products that can be supplied from Woxna. The Company continues to work towards establishing a position as a supplier of choice in terms of price, supply security and quality to the European graphite market. The production model being researched aims to displace synthetic graphite with high purity natural graphite products.

Process development research on Norra Kärr completed under the European Commission funded EURARE project achieved significant technical milestones. Research culminated with the production of approximately 25 kg of mixed REE carbonate produced from a eudialyte concentrate, using a new and optimized hydrometallurgical flowsheet. This process flow sheet development work will be progressed in 2018 to better understand potential commercial byproduct streams.

With regard to tenure at Norra Kärr the Company’s Mining Lease is under review by the Swedish Mining Inspectorate (“Bergsstaten”). In mid-January 2018 the Company submitted to Bergsstaten all requested information arising from this review. The Company continues to hold exclusive rights to the Norra Kärr project through the Mining Lease application process. The Norra Kärr Mining Lease is surrounded by an Exploration License (“EL”) which was first granted to Tasman on August 31, 2009 until August 31 2015. Since that date the company has filed for extensions to the EL, and on March 19 2018 the Company was advised by the Bergsstaten that the EL had been extended until August 31 2019. This decision is open to appeal until April 9 2018. The Company believes that it will continue to be successful in defending its tenure over the Norra Kärr Property.

The Bergby lithium project remains a new lithium discovery at a very shallow depth, and it is anticipated that the project will be advanced with metallurgical testwork utilizing core material retained during the drill program.

The Company continues to seek out prospective battery material projects in Europe and will provide updates as information becomes available.

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

Zenyatta’s Board of Directors Announces Changes in Executive Roles as Part of the Strategic Business Plan



Thunder Bay, ON

17 April 2018



Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. (“Zenyatta” or “Company”) (TSXV: ZEN) Board of Directors announce changes in executive roles as a result of a comprehensive and strategic organizational review. These changes are being implemented in accordance with the Summary Strategic Plan outlined in the news release dated 27 March 2018.

Aubrey Eveleigh will be stepping down from his role as CEO but will remain as interim President and Director during a transition period. During this period the move will facilitate an orderly transfer of knowledge and will support continuity of business development as part of the Company's Strategic Plan while Zenyatta seeks a new CEO. The Board of Directors will expect a new CEO to have the right combination of leadership and experience to assemble and guide a diversified executive management team capable of advancing the Albany graphite deposit to production and developing the strategic relationships and market channels for our unique products.

Aubrey Eveleigh stated, “With my unwavering commitment to Zenyatta’s success, I will continue to work closely with the new and existing team to assure the effective transition. My goal is to help align the business needs with the appropriate leaders to make certain we meet our stated objectives. Today's announcement recognizes that Zenyatta has reached a significant milestone that requires different leadership as part of a succession planning process.”

Keith Morrison, Chairman of Zenyatta stated, “It is important that we manage the succession of our CEO in the best interests of the company. Aubrey has intimate and important knowledge on the dynamics of the Company’s external relationships and the entire internal team. These external relationships include the communities near the Albany project, government politicians/bureaucrats and the many collaborative academic and corporate programs. Having Aubrey continue with Zenyatta, participating and supporting a new CEO and management team, will provide continuity and reduce risk and disruption to important relationships including financial ones.”

Along with this change in CEO position, the Board of Zenyatta is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Keith Morrison to an elevated management role of Executive Chairman to help execute its business and succession plan.

Keith Morrison is presently the CEO and Director of North American Nickel Limited where he recently raised $17.5 million in a strategic financing. He is an entrepreneur with over 35 years of international experience in the resource sector with an accomplished background in strategy, finance, exploration, technology, global operations, capital markets and corporate development. In 1986, he co-founded Quantec Geoscience Ltd. and served as CEO for the next 20 years overseeing the global expansion and completion of over 2500 projects in more than 30 countries. His commitment to developing opportunities, while managing exploration risk, was a key element in the successful evolution and commercialization of Quantec's industry leading deep exploration (Titan24) technology. Formerly, Mr. Morrison also co-founded another significant Canadian-based success story called QGX, a Canadian-based public exploration company which operated in Mongolia prior to its acquisition. He has previously served on several public company Boards as a Non-Executive Chair and Chair of Audit, Compensation and Governance committees. Keith formerly served as the CEO and Director of Gedex Inc., a Canadian technology company developing super-conducting gravity gradiometers for subsurface imaging applications. He is a member of the APGO, PDAC and Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD). He is a graduate in Applied Science and Engineering Geophysics from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and the University of Toronto Rotman School of Business ICD program.

Keith Morrison commented, "I am very pleased to be more involved in the leadership of this extraordinary venture and look forward to working with the entire ZEN team to advance the Albany project. Zenyatta has a fascinating nanomaterial story that is receiving increased global attention. I am looking forward to advancing our business plan through feasibility studies and activities related to graphene applications under ZEN-tech Materials once we secure financing.”

The Company is very pleased with Keith’s contribution since he joined earlier this year. During that time, he has been well received and highly respected by the shareholders he has met and spoken with. Keith is proving his reputation as an innovative leader with vision, backed by strong technical knowledge and hands-on experience. He will be an integral member of the ZEN team as we transition through pre-feasibility and prepare for the upcoming full feasibility study. Also, Keith has a considerable network in the capital markets which will assist management in efforts to meet business objectives for both Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. and ZEN-tech Materials Limited.

The Board of Directors acknowledges the incredible value creation of the Albany project since Mr. Eveleigh and his partners founded the Company in 2010. In 2012, Aubrey and his exploration team were recognized for the finding of a very rare graphite deposit that led to the "Bernie Schneiders Ontario Discovery of the Year Award”. After completing 63 drill holes in two (2) adjacent graphite-mineralized breccia pipes, Zenyatta completed a NI 43-101 Resource estimate in 2014, and reported the results of a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment in 2015. In recognition of these developments Zenyatta received the award for the top performing mining company on the TSX Venture Exchange for consecutive years in 2012 and 2013. In April 2015 Mr. Eveleigh received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association. This award is presented to an individual based on his success, not only for Zenyatta, but for his cumulative contributions to the exploration and mining community of Northwestern Ontario during his career. For Aubrey’s contributions to the success of Zenyatta, the Board of Directors of Zenyatta is most appreciative.

From 2016 to present the Zenyatta team has started a pre-feasibility study, market/business development and testing programs to gather important intelligence on its high purity carbon and graphene. This testing and feedback has been a major success in showing Zenyatta’s unique material to qualify for higher value graphene applications such as the next generation graphene-oxide silicon batteries and for enhancing composite materials like concrete and rubber.

Zenyatta is focused on advancing its 100% owned Albany graphite deposit towards production and will supply consistent, high-quality graphite or graphene to its wholly owned subsidiary ZEN-tech Materials Limited (“ZEN-tech”) in a vertically integrated structure. The formation of ZEN-tech was a strategic move that will provide a downstream vehicle to market, capture value and advance graphene application development separate from the mineral development Company.

The Albany graphite deposit is situated in northeastern Ontario, Canada. The deposit is a large and unique type of igneous-hosted, fluid-derived mineralization containing highly crystalline graphite in two adjacent breccia pipes. Independent labs in Japan, UK, Israel, USA and Canada have demonstrated that Zenyatta’s rare form of graphite easily converts (exfoliates) to graphene using a variety of simple mechanical methods. The deposit is located 30km 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 50 km away with an all-weather road approximately 10 km from the deposit.

ZEN-tech is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zenyatta with a registration in England and Wales. ZEN-tech will focus on marketing, development and commercialization activities of graphene applications and the allocation of any associated intellectual property (‘IP’) and worldwide licensing. The subsidiary will operate independently of Zenyatta and will be assembling an expert management team in 2018.

Pursuant to the employment agreement with Mr. Eveleigh dated August 1, 2010 (the “Original Employment Agreement”), Mr. Eveleigh served as President and CEO of the Company. As a result of being removed as CEO, pursuant to the Original Employment Agreement Mr. Eveleigh is owed a total of $900,000 as a severance payment based on the prior periods of service. Under a settlement agreement, Mr. Eveleigh has agreed to accept one-half of the severance payment of $450,000 in six equal instalments of $75,000 payable every six months, with the first instalment due on June 1, 2018, and the last instalment due on December 31, 2020. Mr. Eveleigh has entered into a new employment agreement to serve as President of the Company effective immediately (the “New Employment Agreement”) with a base salary of $225,000, being the same salary as the Original Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the New Employment Agreement, upon termination of the agreement by Mr. Eveleigh for any reason or by the Company for any reason, Mr. Eveleigh is entitled to receive the remaining severance payment of $450,000 in six equal instalments of $75,000 payable every six months, to commence no earlier than June 30, 2021. Under these agreements, the Company is entitled to offer Mr. Eveleigh the right to accept the payment of an instalment in shares of the Company valued at market price at the time in accordance with the Policies of the TSXV Venture Exchange. If an instalment is not paid under the settlement agreement, the remaining balance of the $900,000 severance amount becomes due and payable. Under the New Employment Agreement, if Mr. Eveleigh is dismissed for cause, he is required to accept the remaining $450,000 severance payment in shares of the Company valued at market price at the time in accordance with the Policies of the TSXV Venture Exchange. In addition to this summary, these agreements include other customary terms and conditions.

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

LOMIKO RECEIVES LOI FOR $ 5 MILLION LOAN FROM EUROPEAN FIRM


(Vancouver, April 26, 2018) LOMIKO METALS INC. (TSXV: LMR) (OTC: LMRMF) (FSE:


DH8C) (ISIN: CA54163Q1028) (WKN: A0Q9W7) (LEI: 529900GJP51V4HR9MN94)

("Lomiko" or "the Company”) has signed an agreement with an undisclosed private lender

in Europe for a $ 5 million CDN convertible loan. Upon TSX Venture approval, the loan

shall be disbursed via a secured and authorized financial intermediary facility provider

appointed with the consent of both parties.

The use of loan proceeds would be used for the completion of drilling, resource,

metallurgy, graphite characterization, Pre-Economic Assessment (PEA) and the

estimated completion of 100% purchase of the La Loutre Property.

After completion of work on the property, Lomiko will seek further equity funding to repay

the loan in its entirety and/or seek additional funding structures for pre-feasibility and

feasibility studies. The loan will bear interest on all amounts outstanding, at a fixed annual

interest rate of 4.0%, payable on a yearly basis. The first interest payment is due April 25,

2019. All, or part of the loan principal, may be convertible to common shares at $0.50

CDN per share at the end of the loan period, only when such conversion does not create

an equity position of greater than 20% of the Company’s issued shares. The investor has

no intention of seeking a controlling interest or a change of directors or management. At

the time of conversion, if the Lender becomes an Insider of the Company, all applicable

TSX Venture filings will be completed.

The agreement is not considered a binding agreement on either party until a transfer of

funds has been approved and completed .

The loan will rank senior to all other indebtedness of company. Further, the tangible and

intangible assets of the company, including receivables, ownership of subsidiaries, and

intellectual property, are considered secondary security.

The transaction is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and the Lomiko

Board of Directors.

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

Leading Edge Materials Initiates Exploration Alliance in Romania
Published by Blair Way at 29th April 2018
Categories

• Regulatory news

Tags

download pdf of press release here

Vancouver, Canada – Leading Edge Materials Corp. (“Leading Edge Materials”) or (“the “Company”) (TSXV:LEM) (OTCQB: LEMIF) (Nasdaq First North: LEMSE) is pleased to report the initiation of an exploration alliance focused on lithium ion battery materials in Romania. The exploration alliance has highlighted cobalt and lithium opportunities, for which secure tenure is now being sought (the “Exploration Area”)

Leading Edge Materials has signed a share purchase agreement (the “Share Purchase Agreement”) with an arm’s length party under which a local company (the “Partnership Company”) has been incorporated in Romania. Under the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement, Leading Edge Materials will hold an initial 51% interest in the Partnership Company and the right to acquire up to 91% interest by making certain payments in shares of Leading Edge Materials (the “LEM Shares”), including an initial payment of 367,006 LEM Shares. Both parties are also working to finalize the terms of a shareholders joint venture agreement (the “Joint Venture Agreement”). Highlights of the Joint Venture Agreement include:

• Payment of 550,509 LEM Shares following the granting of the exploration license within the Exploration Area ;
• Payment of 734,012 LEM Shares on completion of a NI 43-101 resource estimate within the Exploration Area;
• On completion of a positive Pre-Feasibility Study, Leading Edge Materials shall progress to 91% ownership of the Partnership Company, with the payment of 917,515 LEM Shares;
• Leading Edge Materials shall incur all exploration expenditure and shall free carry the local partner to production; and
• A bonus payment of up to 1,835,031 LEM Shares should a historic resource of greater than 40,000 tonnes of contained cobalt at a cobalt equivalent grade greater than 0.75% be identified within the Exploration Area;
• A bonus payment of 2,202,037 LEM Shares should an NI43-101 resource be calculated of greater than 40,000 tonnes of contained cobalt at a cobalt equivalent grade greater than 0.75% within the Exploration Area;

A finder’s fee of 5% is applicable and will also be paid in stages and concurrently with the issuance of the LEM Shares under the Joint Venture Agreement.

Blair Way, President and CEO, stated: “Leading Edge Materials has been actively seeking additional opportunities in the battery materials sector, and we are pleased to accelerate this process through the incorporation of a subsidiary with a skilled local partner. We look forward to providing more details as the exploration alliance progresses”.

Completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions for transactions of this nature including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

Zenyatta Announces the Appointment of Paul Gardner to the Team as CEO of ZEN-tech Materials


Thunder Bay, ON

3 May 2018

Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. (“Zenyatta” or “Company”) (TSXV: ZEN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Paul Gardner to the team as CEO of the Company’s private and wholly owned subsidiary, ZEN-tech Materials Limited (“ZEN-tech”). Mr. Gardner will be responsible for the market strategy, business and application development, partnerships and sales of Zenyatta’s high purity carbon, graphene and graphene-oxide products. He will also be working with the rest of the Zenyatta team to assemble expert nanomaterial members for ZEN-tech.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Commerce from The School of Business at Queen's University, and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

For the past 15 years Mr. Gardner has been part of leadership teams and advised organizations within the innovation economy to accelerate growth, undergo transformation and better manage their multi-stakeholder environments. This has included CEO of Toon Boon Animation, CFO of Real Ventures, COO of Syntegrity Group, and Corporate Development for Entrust. Paul has also advised organizations across multiple industries including the resource, financial, media and entertainment and technology sectors.

Previously, Paul was a venture capitalist with McLean Watson and worked in operations and business development for Microvitec PLC. He currently sits on the board of the Ottawa Network For Education, Jewish Family Services of Ottawa’s foundation and the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation’s Investment Committee.

Paul Gardner commented, "I am very pleased to join Zenyatta which has an exciting nanomaterial story. I’ve worked with Keith on prior projects and I am looking forward to using my skill set as a member of a team to advance activities related to graphene applications under ZEN-tech Materials.”

Keith Morrison, Executive Chairman of Zenyatta commented, "We are very pleased to add Paul Gardner as our first hire in ZEN-tech. Paul is an accomplished business leader and he will establish a positive, results oriented culture in ZEN-tech. I look forward to working with Paul and helping to ensure that he has the resources required to be successful in this critical aspect of our business.”

Zenyatta is focused on advancing its 100% owned Albany graphite deposit towards production and will supply consistent, high-quality carbon or graphene to its wholly owned subsidiary ZEN-tech Materials Limited (“ZEN-tech”) in a vertically integrated structure. The formation of ZEN-tech was a strategic move that will provide a downstream vehicle to market, capture value and advance graphene application development separate from the mineral development Company.

The Albany graphite deposit is situated in northeastern Ontario, Canada. The deposit is a large and unique type of igneous-hosted, fluid-derived mineralization containing highly crystalline graphite in two adjacent breccia pipes. Independent labs in Japan, UK, Israel, USA and Canada have demonstrated that Zenyatta’s rare form of graphite easily converts (exfoliates) to graphene using a variety of simple mechanical methods. The deposit is located 30km 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 50 km away with an all-weather road approximately 10 km from the deposit.

ZEN-tech is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zenyatta with a registration in England and Wales. ZEN-tech will focus on marketing, development and commercialization activities of graphene applications and the allocation of any associated intellectual property (‘IP’) and worldwide licensing. The subsidiary will operate independently of Zenyatta and will be assembling an expert management team in 2018.

In connection with the appointment of Paul Gardner, he has been granted stock options to purchase up to 200,000 common shares in the capital of the Company. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.56 CDN for a five year period.

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

Letter from the Executive Chairman of Zenyatta Ventures Ltd., Mr. Keith Morrison



4 May 2018



Dear Valued Shareholder,

I am writing this letter to respectfully request your vote in support of management, our proposed changes and summary business plan announced in March. Therefore, I ask you to vote AGAINST the Dissident’s plan to take control of your Board of Directors at the May 11th, Special Meeting. They are nominating individuals, who currently have limited investment in Zenyatta, no experience and no strategy.

WE REFER TO THE GREEN PROXY AND REQUEST THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE AGAINST BOTH THE DIRECTOR REMOVAL RESOLUTION AND WITHHOLD FROM VOTING ON ALL OF THE INDIVIDUALS NAMED IN THE DISSIDENT NOMINEES ELECTION.

The Opportunity:

Although I joined Zenyatta three months ago, I have been invested in Zenyatta for several years, albeit effectively as a royalty owner. During my association within the Company I have not seen anything that would reduce my confidence that the opportunity at Zenyatta is real and that success should bring extraordinary returns to all patient stakeholders. At the same time, I do not underestimate the challenges of developing effectively a new industrial mineral resource in a pre-revenue, single asset, junior public Canadian company that is subject to NI43-101 independent disclosure legislation. This securities legislation does not contemplate its application to a new industrial nanomaterial that is different than any of the standard commodities with established markets like nickel, gold, iron ore etc.

To deliver maximum return to stakeholders it is critical that we attract and retain “best-of-class” people and provide them with the resources to achieve our goals. This needs to be done in a sustainable culture that ensures Zenyatta is the Company with the world’s best and brightest. It is a commitment to open communication, transparency and accountability that talented individuals can excel in. It is a fundamental commitment to best practices at all levels and stages of the Company that I have introduced in my role since joining the Company.

Zenyatta is evolving:

Our loyal shareholders, including voices from the dissident group, have asked for change and we are listening. In fact the Company started this process in December of 2017 with the appointment of Brett Richards to the Board of Directors, followed by my addition in January. The changes continue, as announced recently, at both the executive and board level.

Yesterday, we announced the hiring of Paul Gardner as CEO of ZEN-tech. (Paul’s profile is available on our web site.) It is too early for shareholders to appreciate the quality of executive that Paul represents, and it will take time for his influence to be seen. I can say that Paul embodies intellect, ethics and fundamental leadership skills that will create a high performance professional culture at ZEN-tech that will be the building block of our global market development efforts.

Other proven professionals have been identified to join the Zenyatta team, but these appointments need to wait until the Company is stabilized after all shareholders concerns have been resolved. Similarly, the Zenyatta Board will initiate a CEO search and succession plan. In the meantime, I will support management in a leadership role from the Executive Chairman position, where I will continue to embed fundamental changes in management and board communication that will enable better corporate governance, communication and accelerate growth.

People matter:

One of the major challenges I have before me is how to manage change at the Board of Directors. The dissidents position, that you are voting for or against, is for the removal of 4 directors (including me) and simply replaces them with their three nominees, who have little to no relevant experience, shares or intimate knowledge of the Company. It is my recommendation that shareholders support a process that brings the required skills and exceptional people to the Board of Zenyatta.

At our upcoming AGM to be held later this year, we are proposing to increase the size of the Board to seven and to present a slate with a minimum of four new members. I want to emphasize that our Board is committed to managing an open nomination process. Currently, we have a short list of preferred candidates that offer experiences in private equity financing, and Chinese foreign resource investment backgrounds in the Graphite/Graphene markets. Other skill sets being considered include a mine/mill flow sheet professional and a Chartered Accountant.

The Future needs to be Strategic

I firmly believe that our success depends on building the right strategic partnerships for Zenyatta. Having the right strategic partners will validate the commercial significance of our new nanomaterial and, more importantly, be a source of long term equity (multi-year capital allocation capability to maintain a pro-rata ownership in the Company), market specific product specifications and off-take agreements.

Plans are in place for 2018 with a focus on advancing the Company through completion of the PFS, initiate a scoping study on converting high purity Albany carbon to graphene and graphene oxide and developing market channels for our products. The Company proposes to complete a financing to allow the Company to operate for twelve months where it will focus on attracting and retaining a team of individuals to complete these objectives, such that in 2019 the Company can attract and complete a strategic financing. The dissident action has effectively rendered the Company unfinanceable at this time and needs to be resolved to the benefit of all Zenyatta shareholders.

Voting

I respectfully call on our shareholders to vote to support both management and the progressive changes that I have shared with you. My personal preference would have been a negotiated settlement with the dissidents, but despite several attempts at meetings and during conference calls, our differences on the quality of nominees for the Board of Directors is too large.

If you need help to understand how to vote your Proxy please contact us. TO SUPPORT THE EXISTING MANAGEMENT OF ZENYATTA, SHAREHOLDERS MUST VOTE AGAINST BOTH THE DIRECTOR REMOVAL RESOLUTION AND WITHHOLD FROM VOTING ON ALL OF THE INDIVIDUALS NAMED IN THE DISSIDENT NOMINEES ELECTION. The shareholder meeting will be held at the Toronto Board of Trade, 77 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5X 1C1 on May 11, 2018 at 9 a.m. (Toronto time). To be effective, the form of proxy or voting instruction form must be mailed or faxed so as to reach or be deposited with Capital Transfer (in the case of registered holders) at 390 Bay Street, Suite 920, Toronto, ON M5H 2Y2, Fax Number: 416.350.5008, prior to Proxy Deadline of May 9, 2018 at 9 a.m. (Toronto time), failing which such votes may not be counted, or your intermediary (in the case of beneficial holders) with sufficient time for them to file a proxy by the Proxy Deadline.

During this process it has been my pleasure to meet with many long term passionate Zenyatta shareholders and employees. I want to thank you for your continued support of our Company and I am looking forward to working with you to help develop a remarkable deposit which produces an extraordinary nanomaterial.

To find out more on Zenyatta Ventures Ltd., please visit website www.zenyatta.ca or contact the Company at [email protected] or Tel. 807-346-1660.

Sincerely,

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

Metallurgical Testing Indicates Potential to Reduce Capital and Operating Costs

May 8, 2018 – Northern Graphite Corporation (“Northern” or the “Company”) (NGC:TSX-V, NGPHF:OTCQX) announces that ongoing metallurgical testing being carried out by SGS Lakefield (“SGS”) has identified a very promising opportunity to simplify the process plant design and reduce capital and operating costs for the Bissett Creek Project. The test work is part of the Company’s planned update of its Feasibility Study (“FS”) and is subject to further evaluation, testing and cost/benefit analysis.

SGS evaluated a number of crushing and grinding options with the objective of creating a simpler, lower cost flow sheet that maximizes the recovery of high value, large and XL flake graphite and maintains concentrate purity levels, while sacrificing the recovery of some lower value, smaller flake material. The original flow sheet in the FS consisted of SAG milling, flash flotation, regrinding followed by rougher flotation, and then polishing and cleaning which lead to overall recoveries of up to 95 per cent. Testing to date indicates that SAG milling alone, followed by flotation, polishing and cleaning, can achieve recoveries of up to 90 per cent with almost no loss of large and XL flake production. This creates the potential to remove a large regrind ball mill and the rougher flotation circuit from the process plant.

Ore from the Bissett Creek deposit is not “hard” compared to many conventional mining operations and it fractures easily along cleavage planes where the graphite flakes are located. As a result, the graphite is liberated relatively easily with a minimum of crushing and grinding and little degradation of the large and XL flakes. The Company intends to test the new approach on a number of samples from across the deposit to ensure results are consistent. While this testing program has delayed progress on the Company’s FS update, it could lead to a meaningful reduction in capital and operating costs.

Gregory Bowes, CEO commented that: “A significant competitive advantage of the Bissett Creek Project is that it has one of the simplest flow sheets in the industry which contributes to it also having among the lowest processing costs per tonne of ore. Recent test results have created the potential to improve project economics which are already attractive at current, relatively low graphite prices.”

 

[PIZZODIGINO]

Di tutte le società che seguo (7 per la precisione) solo una ha la miniera pronta per le estrazioni ma è ferma da ormai 2 anni, le altre sei non hanno nemmeno iniziato la fase di costruzione degli impianti necessari per estrarre e produrre la grafite.
Si fa un gran parlare di batterie agli ioni di litio, che dovranno equipaggiare le auto elettriche, batterie che richiedono una grande quantità di grafite, ma per ora sembra che la richiesta non ci sia e che il prezzo della grafite sia ancora abbastanza basso e non profittevole.
Io sono dentro il settore da ben 4 anni e il risultato borsistico è pessimo, sto perdendo parecchio; certo entrare ai prezzi di oggi potrebbe essere una scelta decisamente migliore della mia.
Insomma, chi crede nel futuro delle auto a motore elettrico può fare una puntata sul mondo della grafite; il rischio di perdita è alto, ma anche le possibilità di successo sono cospicue.