Madagascar Jumbo Graphite Production Ongoing
Jumbo graphite flake specialist Blackearth Minerals (ASX:BEM) has achieved very positive outcomes following further refinement to its Stage 2 Pilot Plant design at the Maniry Graphite Project in Madagascar.
Additional Testwork undertaken has focused on achieving even higher increases to concentrate grades with spectacular outcomes – results have demonstrated that over 31% of BEM’s product can be produced at an Fixed Carbon (FC) level above 96.5%
Managing Director, Tom Revy, said teh test results achieved have also indicated that the designed flowsheet can achieve an average FC level of 96.5% for all large and jumbo flake product testing, grades which are currently attracting significant price premiums in the graphite market
These results further validate Maniry’s graphite product potential as highly attractive for downstream processing and feed for the rapidly expanding electric vehicle (EV) markets
Further analysis of concentrate tests resulted in an average fixed carbon level of 96.77% for greater than 80% of the jumbo and large flake product tested – making this product some of the highest value graphite concentrate produced in the world
Mr Revy said further testing will continue for remainder of April and May 2021.
“Following the very encouraging initial test results, we decided to focus on achieving even higher fixed carbon grades from our large and jumbo flake products which made up over 39% of our intial results. Premiums relating to very high-grade large flake material have the potential to add significant value to our Maniry Graphite Project,” Mr Revy said.
“Our additional testing has resulted in an average fixed carbon level of 96.65% for all of our product which is an outstanding result.
“These are great results and we are actively continuing this test program and looking forward to producing the final reports. The additional test results further demonstrate that, in our opinion, graphite from Madgascar will be in very high demand in the future as a key and major supplier of product to the Electric Vehicle (EV) and expanding alternative energy markets.”
Following the very positive results from initial testing and design, BlackEarth Management made minor modification to a draft circuit plan design with the goal of achieving higher Fixed Carbon (FC) results from all concentrate produced. Whilst the amount of large and jumbo flake was marginally lower in total (from previous test results) this was negated by substantial and massive improvements to overall FC levels achieved
The updated test 4 results indicate that concentrate can be produced to an exceptionally higher average FC level of 96.65% whilst retaining 31.65% of production at large and jumbo flake. These are outstanding results and provide BlackEarth management with a variety of production options in a defined production cycle.
Whilst concentrate produced to a 94- 95% FC level is highly desired for the EV and battery production market, product already processed to a level exceeding 96.5% FC is very rare in the world supply market and will achieve a material pricing premium.
Recent reports have indicated a current world-wide shortage of jumbo flake graphite and projected short term shortage of all concentrate grades over the next few years.
As a result, material price increases have occurred and are projected to continue to grow as the strong demand for concentrate exceeds supplies in the next few years
The worldwide demand for graphite has grown in recent years and the impact and explosion in demand for EV energy is fuelling a faster level of growth with potential graphite shortages in the near future.
