Alba Mineral Resource appoints ProGraphite to conduct next phase battery test work
The test work is distinct from the company’s last phase of work which was completed in October 2019 and focused on maximising the yield of higher-value large flakes.
The new test work will assess the most efficient and optimised methods for the production of material for lithium-ion battery anode test work.
The previous test work had confirmed the ability of Amitsoq graphite to produce a concentrate containing a 36% proportion of flakes in the higher-value large, jumbo and super jumbo flake sizes.
Shares in Alba Mineral Resources were trading 4.17% higher at 0.125p during Wednesday trading.
Following the initial test work study, Alba said it would move onto its next phase with an assessment of whether the mine can turn out a high-purity product suitable for the battery metals sector.
“Given the premium prices attached to the spherical graphite that is used in battery applications (upwards of $3000 per tonne), it is certainly well worth assessing whether Amitsoq graphite is amenable to the production of a high purity product which can be used in lithium-ion batteries, as this will add another, increasingly important market for our product,” said George Frangeskides, Executive Chairman of Alba.
Alba will make a determination regarding the implementation of a further phase of test work targeting the production of spherical graphite, known as spheronization, following the completion of the third phase.
Exploration completed to date shows the Amitsoq Graphite Project to host some the worlds highest-grade graphite with geophysical, geochemical and structural mapping studies.
Consultancy firm Roskill forecasts that by 2029 batteries will account for 26% of the global demand for graphite – at present, batteries account for 10% of global graphite demand, with electrodes being the highest at 30%.
In a January statement, Alba said its 2020 field season is expected to include 1,100 metres of diamond drilling designed to declare a maiden mineral resource for the Amitsoq project -- this is considered another important step along the path to proving up Amitsoq as a potentially economic graphite deposit, the company explained.
The drilling is currently being planned for July/August 2020.
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