- Metals Australia (MLS) achieves 99.96 per cent spherical graphite purity during testwork on concentrate from its Lac Rainy project in Canada
- The company says the purity achieved during the spherical graphite testwork exceeds the specifications required by global lithium-ion battery manufacturers
- Given the results, MLS plans to “rapidly advance” its Lac Rainy project towards development while advancing discussions with potential off-takers
- Lac Rainy lies in Quebec, which MLS says is an “ideal location” close to North American markets, where demand for high-quality graphite products is high
- MLS shares are up 2 per cent, trading at 5.1 cents at 2:51 pm AEDT
Metals Australia (MLS) has achieved 99.96 per cent spherical graphite purity during testwork on concentrate from its Lac Rainy project in Canada.
According to MLS, the graphite produced exceeded the specifications required by lithium-ion battery manufacturers globally.
Moreover, given the results were achieved using environmentally-responsible and cost-effective methods, Metals Australia Chairman Mike Scivolo said it was an “outstanding outcome” for the company.
“This places the Lac Rainy project in the top tier of high-quality graphite projects, with an ideal location close to North American markets where demand for such high-quality graphite is high,” Mr Scivolo said.
The results included a yield of 63.5 per cent recovered into the 20-micron spherical graphite product, which the company said was “well in excess” of the average industry yield of 40 to 50 per cent.
A consistent spherical graphite particle size distribution and spherical particle shape were also defined after micronisation and spheroidisation.
The high tap density was also above the acceptable standard at 0.97 kilograms per litre.
Now, MLS said it had begun electrochemical testing of the highly-purified spherical graphite material.
With over ten times the drilled strike length of graphitic trends identified on the project, the company said it saw “immense potential” for resource growth.
Moving forward, Mr Scivolo said the company would “rapidly advance” the project towards development while finalising electrochemical test work and advancing discussions with potential off-takers.
MLS shares are up 2 per cent and trading at 5.1 cents at 2:51 pm AEDT.