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Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV:FMS,OTCQX:FCSMF,FWB:FKC) announced its final Phase II Locked Cycle Test (LCT) metallurgical results from its Lac Knife property in Québec. The Company continues to confirm an average concentrate grade of 96.4% C and a high average flake graphite recovery of 92.5%.
As quoted in the press release:
Highlights of these test results are as follows:
- The carbon content of graphite concentrates produced from the six (6) composites averaged 96.4% C, including the finest graphite flake concentrate (-200 mesh) produced. This is a 4.4% increase over Phase I LCTs completed in mid-2012.
- The average graphite flake recovery for the overall deposit following the final Phase II LCT’s increased to 92.5% which confirms the previous four (4) tests and increases the recovery by 0.3% from the previous results.
- The proportion of large flakes (+80 mesh) recovered from the low grade, semi massive, and massive types of mineralization (total: six (6) graphite concentrate samples) ranges between 35% and 58%;
- The Phase II LCT program produced consistent results for all of the composite samples that were tested representing the mineralization types, which confirms the suitability of the proposed concentrator flow sheet to process these different types of mineralization within the Lac Knife deposit, namely the low-grade, semi-massive, and massive graphite mineralization;
- A series of comminution tests generally characterized the seven (7) composite samples (six (6) mineralization and one (1) waste host rock) that represent the deposit, to require a low consumption of energy per tonne processed (kWhr/t). Further testing will establish this more precisely which will be favourable for the crushing and grinding circuit design and operational costs per tonne;
- Detailed chemical analysis of the final concentrates did not identify any impurities that are normally considered deleterious.
- In addition, a LCT was completed on a composite sample of the deposit’s host rock grading 1% C. The concentrate grade obtained was also very good at 96%C with a flake graphite recovery of 94.5%. These results suggest that mining dilution would not impact the recovery nor the final concentrate grade and quality in a negative way;
Focus Graphite Inc. CEO, Gary Economo, said:
These latest results continue to confirm that Lac Knife is an exceptional flake graphite deposit. These increased recovery levels are resulting in a very high carbon content for all of the concentrates produced, even for the finest (-200 mesh) graphite flake concentrate which could provide a low cost raw material that can potentially be upgraded further to meet the specification limits of high purity carbon that the lithium-ion battery manufacturers require. This will further our discussions with potential end users for off-take agreements. It supports our focus on the lithium-ion battery market for high technology transportation and energy applications which is an objective of the Quebec Government. This will also allow us to use the much higher-priced large graphite flakes for other high-technology applications.
Click here to read the Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV:FMS,OTCQX:FCSMF,FWB:FKC) press release
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