Northern Graphite Upgrades Concentrate Purity at Bissett Creek Deposit

Northern Graphite Corporation (TSX VENTURE:NGC) (OTCQX:NGPHF) (“Northern” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the results of additional metallurgical test work designed to optimize the purity of concentrates that will be produced from the Bissett Creek deposit. Testing was carried out by SGS Lakefield (“SGS”) and evaluated new approaches to graphite processing that have been developed since the company completed its full feasibility study.
SGS evaluated the effect on the flake size distribution and carbon content of graphite concentrates from using a stirred media mill instead of, or as a compliment to, the polishing mill. The stirred media mill successfully increased the overall purity of an earlier pilot plant concentrate from 93.4 to 97.9 per cent graphitic carbon (“Cg”). The increase was mainly attributable to the smaller size fractions which averaged over 97 per cent Cg. High purity levels of 97 to 98 per cent had already been confirmed in the important +32 mesh (XXL) and +50 mesh (XL) size fractions through locked cycle tests. Graphite concentrates are typically sold with 80% meeting the required size standard. Smaller sizes can make up the balance as long as the purity level is maintained which will be the case with Northern’s concentrates.
Northern Graphite Corporation CEO Gregory Bowes commented:

Bissett Creek concentrates are already high quality and the increased purity of the finer materials will further enhance their price and marketability. Only 10 per cent of the Company’s production will be -150 mesh, which we believe is the lowest in the industry, and it can easily be absorbed into larger size concentrates. Almost every graphite mine has a fines problem as they must be sold into low growth, low value, competitive markets but this will not be an issue for Northern.

Click here to read the full press release.