End Users want Expandable Graphite

Expandable Graphite______

End users require expandable graphite how ever not all graphite is expandable...The Lindi project has been able to differentiate to peers underpinned by low priced refractory and vanilla markets...

A major point of difference is the premium pricing seen below...modestly priced it out does peers in basket price to vanilla and refractory markets. It has designed a flow sheet able to deliver across a variety of flake sizes selecting 4 discrete products all in a manageable flow sheet to purity level out come. Further optimisation could be achieved by skimming for high end use such as molo graphite. It's important to keep in mind although further optimisation could be achieved high penalty's are incurred if out of spec. To mitigate against these risks a more simple flow sheet was chosen while optimisation can be achieved from a solid base. Revenue Stream adopted...

Quite simply graphite is removed from the ground there are variables. These are expressed in the distribution of ones expected basket from DFS modeling. The figure's below are modeling which can alter in a real life mine.

Distribution


Have added this one from GPX with pricing from CN Docking which demonstrates upside in pricing and end use hi- lighting expandable market pricing. Keep in mind not all graphite is expandable.



Lindi graphite has been rated as best in class across all flake sizes. The larger the flake the larger the expansion volume while bulk density/mass is relative unchanged.

What is expandable graphite and how does it work....?There are a number of different methods being tested while the chemistry from one type to another will operate differently. For graphite to be expanded it goes thru 2 process the first being intercalated which is achieved by use of acid which separates the layers. This will only give around 4 times expansion rate. The second treatment exfoliation process is achieved by rapid heating expanding the volume exponentially. The optimum rapid heat level for stage 2 is from 700 degrees while Lindi graphite expands at 800-1000 degrees.

Expandable graphite is used for different applications where some are low expansion ratios another may require a rapid expansion ratio. Fire retardants for example would have already been thru step 1 Intercalated stage observing the separation of layers. The intercalated graphite would need to be stable at this stage in a solid or liquid form. For example this would need to be stable in local environment where testing the intercalated graphite may be classed as stable up to 200 degrees. At this point it could be used for exterior cladding coating stable up to 200 degrees.

The second stage exfoliation process occurs in the event of an exterior fire which will naturally climb the building. Exfoliation of the graphite will complete stage 2 in this example being triggered by the rapid extreme heat. The process expands the graphite causing rapid gas expansion effectively slowing the burn rate.



Governments around the world are now mandating the use of fire retardants while expandable graphite is a suitable application. China alone develop over 40 million ton per annum requiring 2 million tons per annum. Material is limited in nature where large to super jumbo is most suitable and not in direct competition to vanilla markets or refractory. Walkabout resource project is underpinned by expandable markets not vanilla markets.

No your market no your end use,differentiating to the vanilla markets with lowest capital intensity per ton mined this one ticks a lot of box's...

Croc