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

PIZZODIGINO

Pacifico
Ho letto delle cose interessantissime sulla Grafite e sul suo derivato Grafene.
Infatti ci sono parecchie start-up Canadesi che stanno puntando all'estrazione della grafite.

TITOLO PREZZO ISIN

NORTHERN GRAPHITE 0,76 CA66516A1057
MASON GRAPHITE 0,72 CA57520W1005
ZENYATTA VENTURES 3,07 CA98943A1012
FOCUS GRAPHITE 0,53 CA34416E1060
LOMIKO METALS 0,060 CA54163Q1028
ENERGIZER RESOURCES 0.130 US29269X1028
FLINDERS RESOURCES 0,62 CA3394361073

DOLLARI CANADESI
BORSA DI TORONTO

Fatevi un giro sui siti delle società sopra riportate e troverete delle cose veramente molto interessanti.
Le batterie delle auto elettriche che sono il futuro della motorizzazione, richiedono parecchi chilogrammi di grafite.
Il grafene sembra che potrà sostituire il silicio nelle applicazioni elettroniche.
Siamo ancora agli inizi e per ora il mercato è monopolizzato dalla Cina, che negli anni scorsi, con una politica dei bassi prezzi, ha fatto fallire tutte le miniere al di fuori dei suoi confini. Ora i cinesi non riescono più a tenere i prezzi così bassi e a produrre tutta la quantità di grafite richiesta dal mercato e quindi si aprono nuove strade per nuove miniere al di fuori della Cina.
La prima a partire sarà in Svezia nel luglio di quest'anno, gestita dalla Flinders Resources.
Poi mi risulta che nel 2° trimestre 2016 partirà l'estrazione nella miniera della Energizer Resources.
Mi sembra un settore veramente molto interessante.

 

PIZZODIGINO

Pacifico
Leggendo nei vari siti delle società sopra esposte, sono riuscito a scoprire quanto segue:
Flinders Resources inzierà la produzione nel luglio 2014, Northern Graphite nel dicembre 2015, Mason Graphite nel dicembre 2015 e Energizer Resources nel giugno 2016.
 
Ultima modifica:

PIZZODIGINO

Pacifico
Il futuro del grafene

Uno dei campi che potrebbe maggiormente beneficiare dall’applicazione applicazione del grafene è quello delle tecnologie verdi. Con i nanotubi sarà possibile creare transistor dotati di una vasta superficie e di una bassissima resistenza elettrica, oppure sviluppare materiali resistentissimi e allo stesso tempo leggerissimi, ideali per l’industria aeronautica (quindi per ridurre drasticamente i consumi degli aeroplani) o per produrre pale eoliche più efficienti.
Usando il grafene come elettrodo su strutture composte da nanotubi e buckyballs si potranno realizzare pannelli solari interamente in carbonio (eliminando i metalli), più efficienti e facili da riciclare. Le auto a idrogeno potranno avere serbatoi più piccoli ma in grado di contenere maggiori quantità del carburante e saranno più piccole ma anche più efficienti.
Il settore che per primo vedrà le applicazioni commerciali del grafene sarà l’Information Technology (IT). Il grafene, infatti, può essere utilizzato per sostituire gli elettrodi in indio negli schermi OLED (i display sottilissimi di prossima generazione), rendendoli - alla lunga - meno costosi da produrre. Samsung da sola detiene già 407 brevetti legati al grafene. Anche il segmento “mobile” potrà beneficare dall’utilizzo del grafene attraverso batterie agli ioni di litio in gradi di ricaricarsi molto più rapidamente e, più avanti, attraverso sistemi energetici interamente in grafene.
Sfruttando alcune particolarità del materiale – come ad esempio il fatto che alcune particolari molecole sensibili a certe malattie si attaccano agli atomi di carbonio – sarà poi possibile usarlo anche in campo medico, per creare nuovi strumenti di diagnostica molti simili a quel tricorder che i dottori nell’universo fantascientifico di Star Trek.
Un progetto più concreto, già brevettato da Lockheed Martin, è l’utilizzo di grandi strati di grafene (sotto forma di dei particolari fogli perforati chiamati “perforene”), per desalinizzare l’acqua marina in maniera estremamente efficiente e con un dispendio minimo di energia. Uno strato di perforene, infatti, tratterrebbe il sale e lascerebbe passare solo l’acqua.
La realtà del grafene

Purtroppo, al momento, l’utilizzo commerciale di questo materiale delle meraviglie si scontra con logiche economiche proibitive: il costo di produrre un chilogrammo di grafene si calcola nelle decine di migliaia di euro (circa 30-35.000 euro).
L’idea che il grafene rimpiazzerà il silicio nei processori di domani, per ora, resta una chimera. Oggi ci troviamo in una fase comparabile allo sviluppo dei primi transistor: erano enormi e computer con una potenza di calcolo oggi ridicola occupavano stanza intere: gli scienziati avevano capito di avere scoperto qualcosa di fondamentale per il futuro ma ci sarebbero voluti ancora molti decenni per arrivare a produrli in massa. Il grafene potrebbe avere ripercussioni ancora più determinanti, aiutandoci a rendere tutto il mondo più connesso, più verde e più efficiente ma per ora rimane solo uno splendido sogno ad occhi aperti. Tra dieci anni (e un miliardo di euro), però, potrebbe essere decisamente più concreto.
 

PIZZODIGINO

Pacifico
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Apr 23, 2014) - Flinders Resources Limited ("Flinders" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:FDR) is pleased to provide a further update on the work program underway to restart graphite production from the Woxna mine and processing facility in central Sweden. Woxna is a fully permitted brownfields graphite mine, having been on care and maintenance since 2001. The plant refurbishment is on track to recommence production in July 2014.



Key points:
The flotation cells, sourced and shipped from North America, arrived at the Woxna site in Sweden on April 9th and were immediately installed in the Woxna plant (Photo 1 below). The assembly of the cell mechanicals and connection with pipework for the flotation circuit is now taking place (Photo 2 below);
Other key plant equipment such as air compressors, vibrator feeder and conveyors systems have now arrived at site;
Refurbishment works are progressing as scheduled with the plant to recommence production in July 2014
Flinders' President & CEO, Blair Way, said: "The flotation cells are the backbone of the plant and their installation is the final key component for the finalization of the refurbishment project. Additionally, we have benefited from sourcing unused, but second-hand equipment at a cost much less than budgeted for in our initial estimates. We remain on schedule for a July restart to production."
On behalf of the Board,
Blair Way, President and CEO
 

PIZZODIGINO

Pacifico
Mi sono letto tutte le presentazioni sui siti internet delle società sopra riportate; c'è da credere che stia per iniziare una nuova era, in cui la grafite e il grafene avranno grandissima rilevanza.
Forse è adesso il momento di entrare, dato che i due materiali non sono ancora di dominio comune. Quando tutti ne parleranno sarà troppo tardi per comprare, ma sarà il momento buono per vendere.
 

PIZZODIGINO

Pacifico
Soldi freschi in arrivo

Mason Graphite Inc. ("Mason Graphite" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:LLG)(OTCQX:MGPHF) is pleased to announce that it has closed the previously announced bought deal private placement offering announced on April 3, 2014. The Company issued, on a bought deal basis, a total of 17,692,319 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.65 per Unit, which includes the exercise of the underwriters option (the "Underwriter's Option") in full for aggregate gross proceeds of $11,500,007 (the "Offering"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one common share at a price of $0.85 for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Offering. As part of the Offering, Ressources Québec, a subsidiary of Investissement Québec subscribed for 4,615,385 Units for gross proceeds of $3,000,000. Upon closing of the Offering, Ressources Québec will have a right of first refusal to participate in any future securities offerings by Mason Graphite. The Offering was completed by a syndicate of underwriters led by Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd. and including National Bank Financial Inc. and Dundee Securities Limited (together the "Underwriters"). The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund the continued development of the Lac Guéret project and for general corporate purposes. Moreover, the Company is pleased to announce an agreement in principle for additional financing through convertible debentures for an aggregate gross proceed of $4,150,000 with three renowned Québec-based institutions: Sodémex ($3,000,000), a subsidiary of the Caisse de dépot et placement du Québec, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ ($950,000) and the Fonds regional de solidarité FTQ Côte-Nord ($200,000). The conditions, to be confirmed at closing, would include, among others, maturity after 5 years, interest of 12% per annum, payable semi-annually, and a conversion rate into common shares of $0.845 per share. The Company can trigger the conversion and anticipate the redemption under certain conditions. The transaction would also include an aggregate of 2,075,000 warrants, each granting the purchase of a common share at a price of $0.91 for a period of 24 months following the closing of the transaction. The closing of this transaction, still subject to certain conditions, to the finalization of definitive agreements binding the parties and receipt of all applicable regulatory and other approvals, is expected within 30 days following this announcement. In connection with the Offering, the Underwriters received a cash commission equal to 6.0% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering and non-transferable broker warrants equal to 6.0% of the number of Units sold (inclusive of the Underwriters' Option). Each broker warrant will be exercisable into one Unit of the Company for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering at a price of $0.65 per Unit. All securities issued at the closing of the Offering are subject to a hold period under applicable Canadian securities legislation and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, which expires on August 29, 2014. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) absent such registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. About Mason Graphite Mason Graphite is a Canadian mining company focused on the exploration and development of its 100% owned Lac Guéret graphite property, located in northeastern Québec. The property hosts a National Instrument 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource featuring 50,024,000 tonnes grading 15.6% Cg, including 6,672,000 tonnes grading 32.4% Cg, in the Measured and Indicated categories and 11,861,000 tonnes grading 17.1% Cg, including 2,637,000 tonnes grading 30.5% Cg, in the Inferred category (see press release dated December 5, 2013). Excellent potential exists for further mineral growth. A Preliminary Economic Assessment study was completed on a 7.6Mt mineral resource estimate from July 2012 which features 22 years of production at 27.4% Cg and a pre-tax internal rate of return of 33.7% (see technical report entitled "Technical Report on the Mineral Resources Estimation Update 2013, Lac Guéret Graphite Project, Quebec, Canada" issued on January 17, 2014). The Company's senior management team possesses significant graphite expertise from their experience at Timcal/Imerys, including Benoît Gascon, CPA, CA, who held executive positions for 20 years, including over 6 years as President and CEO; Jean L'Heureux, Eng., Executive Vice-President, Process Development, with over 20 years of experience; and Luc Veilleux , CPA, CA, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice-President, with 8 years of experience. Timcal, now owned by Imerys, is one of the largest graphite producers in the world - See more at: Mason Graphite - Mason Graphite Closes $11.5 Million Bought Deal Private Placement Offering and Announces Additional Financing for $4.15M

Ma il 12% non è un tasso da usura ?
 

PIZZODIGINO

Pacifico
Commercial Sales & Revenues
50,000 tonnes of saleable graphite annually; $76.2 million in annual revenues

The Lac Guéret mine will produce an average of 50,000 tonnes of saleable graphite annually. At an average sale price of $1,525 per tonne, this represents $76.2 million in annual revenue.

The sale price assumptions used in the PEA were based on the 24-month average graphite prices published by Industrial Minerals magazine (‘’IM’’). Applying Mason’s product distribution to IM’s 24-month averages, the average selling price would become $1,974/tonne. In comparison to the industry’s market prices, the graphite prices used in the PEA are deemed by the Company to be conservative.

“The conservative price assumptions used in the PEA could represent a potential opportunity for improved economics. Integrating the 24-month average IM price of $1,974/tonne in the financial model could yield a potential improvement with a pre-tax NPV (8% discount) of $558M and an IRR of 44.7%.” - Luc Veilleux, Executive Vice-President and CFO of Mason Graphite

The commercial scenario used in the PEA considers realistic assumptions that are based on Mason Graphite’s established relationships with existing markets. Graphite is not an openly traded mineral, therefore prices are negotiated between end-users and producers in annual or multi-year contracts. The Company will continue to build close and continuous relationships with its potential customers in order to tailor the finished product to meet their exact needs. The Lac Guéret project does not rely on yet-to-come technologies and demands; however, it will be well positioned to work with new applications, technologies, markets and customers.
- See more at: Mason Graphite - Project - Lac Guéret Graphite Project


Financial Highlights Initial direct capital costs of $89.9M Production costs of $390 per tonne of finished product $364M pre-tax NPV (8% discount); $283M pre-tax NPV (10% discount) 33.7% pre-tax Internal Rate of Return Payback period of 2.5 years 22-year mine life Average sales price of $1,525 per tonne - See more at: Mason Graphite - Project - Lac Guéret Graphite Project

Costo di produzione 390 $ e prezzo di vendita a 1.525 $. Anche aggiungendo i costi di trasporto, rimane un ottimo margine di guadagno; anche perché la quotazione della grafite è destinata a salire.
 
Ultima modifica:

PIZZODIGINO

Pacifico
For example, the costs of purifying a 95 per cent grade graphite to a minimum battery grade of 99.95 per cent is approximately $3,000 to $5,000 per tonne. The cost of purifying Lac Knife’s 98.3 per cent grade to battery grade quality is estimated to be between $500 and $1,000 per tonne.

Fonte: Focus Graphite
 

PIZZODIGINO

Pacifico
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 29, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When silicon became the medium of choice for semiconductors in the 60's, the previous material, germanium, was left behind to the point where few today have ever heard of it. With the rise of graphene, silicon may eventually experience the same fate, relegated to a curiosity at some semiconductor museum.
Graphene was discovered in 2004. By 2014, there have been 10,000 patents filed. The magic of this form of pure carbon that can be derived from ultra-pure graphite is that it is 200 times stronger than steel, transparent, more conductive than silicon and flexible. One ounce of graphene could cover 28 football fields.
Usually, only the biggest companies have the R&D clout to participate in new developments. However, one small public company, Lomiko Metals (LMR.V) (LMRMF), has been able to leap ahead working with leading scientists at Graphene Labs of Long Island New York.
One example espoused by the American Chemical Society posited that advancements in graphene could eventually make cellphones as thin as a piece of paper and flexible enough to fold up and put it in a pocket. Further, this wundermineral could potentially be the key constituent in the current and future generations of flexible displays and virtually all manner of electronic device.
Some very big names are pouring money and R&D into graphene development. Samsung Electronics recently announced a breakthrough in the advance toward graphene commercialization by; "synthesizing large-area graphene into a single crystal on a semiconductor, while maintaining its electric and mechanical properties. By developing a method for growing a single crystal graphene into a large area, the researchers claim they could displace the tech industry's reliance on silicon."
Along with Samsung, the European Nanomaster project, led by NetComposites in the UK, has 12 partners worldwide, including Timcal owned by Imerys, a Canadian name that graphite investors will know well. The global initiative has developed new grades of expanded graphite, which have been used to produce high-quality graphene.
TIMCAL Graphite & Carbon produces and markets a large variety of synthetic and natural graphite powders, conductive carbon blacks and water-based dispersions of consistent high quality.
Lomiko is the only company in this sector poised for exponential growth. The others are billion dollar companies. The Company is also developing a vertical business alignment from graphite to graphene, which includes a patent on the manufacturing process involving 3D printing with graphene. Using this new technology together with a new material, it will be able to print electronic devices -- a process known as Additive Manufacturing. Further, the patent Lomiko participated in was filed before the bigger companies announced their involvement.
"Only certain types of graphite are appropriate for use in electronics. Our Quatre Milles discovery is near surface, high grade, and high carbon content crystalline flake graphite. We believe Lomiko is at the forefront of graphene development," stated A. Paul Gill, CEO of Lomiko Metals in an exclusive interview with Financial Press. "As well, our strategic alliance with Graphene Labs has produced Graphene 3D Lab which has filed a provisional patent application for the use of graphene-enhanced material, along with other materials, in the fast growing market of 3D Printing, also known as Additive Manufacturing within the industry."
Lomiko recently announced the Company's listing on the OTCQX market. And this on the heels of a successful $5.5 million financing concluded mid-March, 2014. This event gives Lomiko significant working capital and funds for exploration and business development.
Lomiko has virtually all its bases covered. Since development of graphene needs high purity, large flake graphite, it has the security of supply necessary to advance testing and eventual production with a particular focus on 3D printing.
Gill states: "3D printing a whistle or chess piece is already child's play. Lomiko looks to the day when the Company can print a fully functioning cell phone, watch or stereo system."
Adding graphene to polymers, which are conventionally used in 3D printing, enhances the properties of the polymer in many different ways; it improves the mechanical strength as well as its electrical and thermal conductivity. The method described in the provisional patent application allows consumers to use the polymer, infused with graphene, together with conventional polymers in the same printing process, thereby fabricating functional electronic devices.
Credit Suisse forecasts that global 3D printing market revenues will reach almost $12 billion by 2020; they came in just over $2 billion in 2012. That represents annual growth of 20-30%. The retail consumer/small business market shows the largest growth potential with 100%+ year over year growth in 2013.
While the applications in 3D printing are impressive, there are several multi-billion dollar industries that will benefit from this alliance including the medical appliance market, biotech and super capacitors. RFID, smart packaging, ITO replacement, sensors, logic and memory are also areas where graphene will likely see exceptional growth.
With a solid partnership for graphene development, a successful financing and US listing, Lomiko has moved to the next level and represents, not only a compelling graphite play, but with its commitment to graphene development and expanding applications, it has become a hi-tech play as well.
Lomiko shares trade at $0.07 with a market cap of $9 million.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Alto