Northern Graphite Reports Metallurgical Test Results
September 23 2011 - 8:00AM
Marketwired
Northern Graphite Corporation (TSX VENTURE: NGC)(OTCQX: NGPHF) is
pleased to announce that metallurgical testing on its Bissett Creek
Project has indicated that almost 50% of the graphite concentrate
produced will be jumbo size, +48 mesh flake with a very high carbon
content averaging 98%. This is an exceptional product that will
attract a premium price based on both flake size and carbon
content. Testing also confirmed results from the extensive
historical testing, bulk sampling and pilot plant work that was
carried out in the past and has validated the performance of the
new flow sheet that will form the basis for the bankable
Feasibility Study ("FS") currently underway.
SGS Metallurgical Services (Lakefield) performed Locked Cycle
Testing on composite material taken from drill core samples across
the deposit. The test produced six final concentrates which showed
consistent flake size distribution and carbon grade. The overall
concentrate grade averaged 95%C. A concentrate which grades 94%C
and has a flake size distribution of 80% greater than +80 mesh is
the industry standard premium product. Current prices are $2,500 to
3,000 per tonne and almost all Bissett Creek production meets this
specification as the final concentrates averaged over 70%, +80
mesh. Approximately 6% of the concentrate was +100 mesh and 12% was
+200 mesh, both with high carbon content. Less than 10% was very
small, -200 mesh flake and powder with a carbon content in the low
80s.
Most significantly, almost 50% of the graphite concentrate
produced was jumbo size, +48 mesh flake which averaged 98%C with
one value as high as 99.2%C. In the interests of conservatism, no
premium pricing was used in the Preliminary Economic Assessment and
it will not be used in the bankable Feasibility Study.
Gregory Bowes, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We believe
that the ability to produce large flake, high carbon (98-99%)
concentrates from flotation alone, without chemical or thermal
treatment, is another factor that makes the Bissett Creek deposit
unique. Test results confirm that the Bissett Creek Project will
produce almost entirely high purity, large flake graphite and a
very high percentage could potentially be used to produce high
value spherical graphite for use in Li ion batteries. "
Concentrate Flake Size Distribution (%) and Graphitic Carbon
(Cg) Grade (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test
Cycle +48(%) Cg(%) +80(%) Cg(%) +100(%) Cg(%) +200(%) Cg(%) -200(%) Cg(%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A 56.0 99.2 28.7 96.5 4.4 95.7 7.9 93.6 2.9 80.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
B 49.6 98.1 24.2 95.2 5.7 94.3 12.2 94.0 8.2 84.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
C 44.0 97.0 25.6 94.4 5.9 95.0 13.5 92.0 11.0 81.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
D 50.7 97.8 25.0 94.9 5.9 94.5 11.6 93.4 6.7 84.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
E 52.1 98.7 25.8 94.9 4.7 95.1 10.5 92.5 6.9 81.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
F 45.0 97.9 26.9 96.6 6.5 95.2 12.8 93.9 8.8 82.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average 49.6 98.1 26.0 95.4 5.5 95.0 11.4 93.2 7.4 82.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test work at SGS has been ongoing for the past year and will
culminate in a pilot plant program that will start in two weeks.
Results should be available within five to six weeks. The pilot
plant is designed to further confirm the flow sheet being
incorporated into the FS and will optimize its operating
parameters. The overall carbon recovery in the locked cycle tests
was 92.2% and the Company's objective is to increase it to 94 to
95% without degradation of flake size. The FS is expected to be
completed and filed on Sedar by year end. All mine permitting is
expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2012 at which time
the Company will be in a position to initiate construction subject
to positive results from the FS and the availability of
financing.
Don Baxter, P.Eng, President of the Company and a "Qualified
Person" under 43-101, is responsible for and has reviewed and
approved the technical content of this press release.
About SGS Metallurgical Services (Lakefield)
SGS Metallurgical Services is recognized as the world leader in
the development of bankable flowsheets and pilot plant programs.
SGS Metallurgical Services was founded over half a century ago. Its
metallurgists, hydrometallurgists and chemical engineers are
experienced in all the major physical and chemical separation
processes utilized in the recovery of metals and minerals contained
in orebodies around the world.
About Northern Graphite Corporation
Northern Graphite Corporation is a Canadian company that has a
100% interest in the Bissett Creek graphite project, located 17kms
from the Trans Canada highway between Ottawa and North Bay,
Ontario.
Graphite prices have increased substantially due to the ongoing
modernization of China and other emerging economies which has
resulted in strong demand from traditional steel and automotive
markets. In addition, new applications such as lithium ion
batteries, fuel cells and nuclear power have the potential to
create significant incremental demand growth. It takes 20 to 30
times as much graphite as lithium to make a Li ion battery and
their use in the growing EV/HEV market is expected to require
significant increases in graphite production. However, graphite
production and exports from China, which produces 70% of the
world's supply, are expected to decline and an export tax and a
licensing system have been instituted. Both the European Union and
the United States have declared graphite a supply critical
mineral.
Northern Graphite is well positioned to benefit from this
compelling supply/demand dynamic with a near term development
project located in Canada and close to infrastructure. Additional
information on Northern Graphite Corporation can be found under the
Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's
website at www.northerngraphite.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which
can be identified by the use of statements that include words such
as "could", "potential", "believe", "expect", "anticipate",
"intend", "plan", "likely", "will" or other similar words or
phrases. These statements are only current predictions and are
subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of
activity, performance or achievements to be materially different
from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. The
Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to
update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, unless otherwise required
by applicable securities laws. Readers should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Contacts: Gregory Bowes CEO (613) 241-9959 Don Baxter P.Eng
President (705) 789-9706
Northern Graphite (TSXV:NGC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2024 to Jul 2024
Northern Graphite (TSXV:NGC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024