The Conversation (0)
Graphite One Resources Inc. (TSXV:GPH,OTCQX:GPHOF) announced that work on the PEA for Alaska Graphite Creek Project has been suspended to incorporate significant findings from the Stage B Report submitted by TRU Group Inc. TRU discovered the existence of distinct properties of the Graphite Creek mineralization: Spheroidal, Thin, Aggregate and EXpanded, or STAX. Graphite Once is applying for registration of the trademark STAX in association with Graphite Creek graphite, and believes that STAX has the potential to have a positive impact on the Preliminary Economic Assessment.
As a result of the importance of this development, Graphite One is briefly suspending work on its PEA of the Project in order to incorporate the findings from the Stage B Report into the PEA. The Company and TRU cautions that significant additional research and development (“R&D”) is required to firm-up these findings for the Project.
“The discovery of this unique graphite, named STAX, is of notable scientific interest”, says TRU President, Edward R Anderson. “We are anxious to delve more deeply into the ‘natural’ character of STAX and assess how those characteristics impact processing of graphite into finished products.”
As background information, the Company presents the following summary of the two TRU reports commissioned and received to date.
Stage A Report:
The Stage A Report, Development Options for the Graphite Creek Project, was released in June 2014 and identified development options for the Project which focused on matching the resources to up-market functionalized end uses for graphite. Quoting from the Stage A Report:
“At the current stage of analysis, [there are some] key unique positives of the Graphite Creek Project that merit further investigation and analysis. Elucidation of the Stage A concepts will be undertaken in Stage B of the assignment and will define the basic parameters of the integrated graphite facility, determine broad viability ±45% and define future steps for implementation.”
Stage B Report:
The Stage B Report is a study of the options identified in the Stage A Report and a summary of the testwork completed to determine the characteristics of the Project’s graphite. The Stage B Report describes the unique characteristics of the Graphite Creek graphite and identified the need for additional R&D to more fully understand the characteristics and the impact this has on processing and finished products.
STAX Graphite Characterization Testwork
One objective of TRU’s assignment was to undertake testwork to determine the characteristics of the Project’s graphite. Detailed analyses of samples from six, high-grade drill holes across the length of the deposit were conducted. The characterization techniques used were:
Screening analysis
Laser light scattering
Scanning electron microscopy
Optical microscopy
Loss on ignition
Surface area by BET
Density measurement (True, Tap and Scott)
Inductively coupled plasma
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopyImportant conclusions resulting from this characterization testwork include findings of:
1. Spheroidal Shaped Graphite: Naturally occurring graphite in the shape of spheres and close to the size ranges of interest for lithium ion battery-grade graphite was seen in all drill-hole concentrate samples.
2. High Proportions of Coarse Flake Graphite with High Aspect Ratios: Screening analysis and optical microscopy demonstrated significant proportions (7-10% or more) of thin, coarse, large flake graphite (+20 mesh, +25-30 mesh). This included “pressed flake” or aggregated graphite particles some in the shape of flakes, alongside integral classic flake and both with high aspect ratios.
3. Naturally Expanded/Exfoliated Flake Graphite: There exists naturally occurring flake graphite with particle architecture closely matching that of expanded graphite.
As this may impact the strategic direction of the Company, Graphite One is now assessing the Stage B Report to determine the next steps in incorporating the results into the PEA.
Graphite One Resources CEO, Anthony Huston, said:
TRU’s study reveals the unique characteristics of the Graphite Creek mineralization and we believe the STAX trademark succinctly captures these features. Additional research and development is necessary to round out these findings and determine how these unique features may impact the development of the Project. We are excited to move forward with these results.
Click here to read the Graphite One Resources Inc. (TSXV:GPH,OTCQX:GPHOF) press release
Click here to see the Graphite One Resources Inc. (TSXV:GPH,OTCQX:GPHOF) profile.