TSX-V: GRAT
TORONTO, May 3, 2019 /CNW/ - Gratomic Inc.
("Gratomic" or the "Company") (TSX-V:
GRAT) (CB81–FRANKFURT) a vertically integrated
graphite to graphene, advanced materials development company is
pleased to provide an update from its Aukam Graphite Mine in
Namibia. The Company has been
advancing the Graphite Project on three fronts focusing on
exploration and diamond drilling, construction of on-site offices,
laboratory, and living quarters, and the construction of a
commercial scale graphite processing plant. The commercial scale
graphite plant, capable of producing in excess of 20,000 tonnes of
graphite concentrate per year, will replace the existing pilot
plant commissioned in 2018 which successfully produced 5.5 tonnes
of graphite concentrate grading between 88%-96% Carbon as Graphite ("Cg").
The Aukam Graphite Project is located in southern Namibia close to the port city of Luderitz.
The property hosts five underground adits which were mined
periodically between 1940 and 1974. Graphite mineralization
at Aukam is of the vein or lump type and occurs as massive lenses
and veins. Graphite has also been observed as minor disseminated
patches hosted in variably altered granite.
2018 Exploration
During 2018, Gratomic contracted Gregory Symons Geophysics (GSG)
to perform Horizontal Loop Electromagnetics (HLEM) and magnetic
surveys in continuation of previous geophysical surveys undertaken
in 2016/2017. The original survey was performed in the
vicinity of the Aukam Mine marked by the black polygon in Figure1
below. During the 2018 geophysical survey, ground
electromagnetic and magnetic surveys were completed in two areas
identified as Grid 1, which lies East of the Aukam Mine, and a
portion Grid 2 as indicated in purple, known as Snyman Graphite
Occurrence (see Figure 1).
Grid 1 adjoins the previous survey over the mine area at Aukam
and extends the strike length covered to 1.6 kilometres to the
East. Significant interpretations pertaining to Grid 1 include:
- Graphite identified at surface occurs both as massive graphite
veins and widespread disseminated graphite over an area of 550
metres east-west by 190 metres north- south,
- Surface graphite showings are located sub-parallel to known
electromagnetic anomalies,
- Electromagnetic anomalies extend those depicted by the original
survey by approximately 550 metres,
- Current strike length of anomaly now stands at 1.3
kilometres,
- Distinct drill targets have been identified along the trend
(see Figure 2),
- Surveyed area appears to be under rather shallow sand
cover,
- Prospective areas identified are conducive to surface
trenching.
Grid 2 of the completed geophysical survey covers the Snyman
graphite occurrence in the northeastern portion of EPL3895. The
Snyman graphite occurrence covers an area of 7.5 ha and lies
approximately 6.5 kilometres east of the Aukam mine.
Significant interpretations pertaining to Grid 2 include:
- Graphitic interpreted mineralization is depicted by a
predominant EM anomaly in the northwest part of the grid extending
over 150 metres,
- A second weaker EM further to the east extends over 600 metres
is thought to be associated with graphite mineralization in the
area
- The grid area appears to be covered with thin overburden,
- Areas have been identified as prospective areas conducive to
surface trenching (see Figure 3)
During 2018 Gratomic was granted additional Exclusive
Prospecting License, Number 6710 (EPL 6710) by the Namibian
Ministry of Mines and Energy, with an initial exclusivity of three
years. The license area is contiguous with EPL 3895, which
covers the Aukam graphite deposit and the Snyman graphite
occurrence (see Figure 4). The application for EPL 6710 was
submitted in order to cover the potential strike extension of the
Snyman graphite occurrence to the east. In addition, EPL 6710
covers an additional area considered prospective for graphite
within the "Aukam window" where rocks hosting the Aukam and Snyman
graphite are exposed beneath the regional unconformity at the base
of the Nama Group sedimentary rocks. The addition of the new EPL
increases the area of prospective geology covered to 63,072
hectares (630 square kilometres).
Regional exploration in 2018 included mapping and sampling of
graphite occurrences throughout the Company's license areas with
emphasis on the 400 hectares encompassing both the Snyman graphite
occurrence and the area east of the Aukam Mine. Compilation,
interpretation and presentation of all available geologic data
allowed for subsequent diamond drill targeting with initial
drilling planned for the area immediately east of the existing
underground workings of the Aukam Mine.
Diamond Drilling
Two company drills were deployed to Aukam in March 2019 with diamond drilling commencing in
April. The company is currently operating a Longyear 38 with
a 2-cylinder XY-1 drill for a backup. Initial targets being
drilled are proximal to the Aukam Mine and are spaced at 25 metres
with infill drill planned to follow based on results. Five holes
have been completed at the time of this release.
Processing Plant
During 2018 Gratomic completed the construction and start-up of
its' prototype processing plant to test and refine the processes
that will be used for commercial production. The Aukam processing
plant uses a simple crushing, grinding and flotation system.
Graphite feed for the prototype plant was obtained from screening
and sorting of existing stockpiles from historical mining. The
processing plant operated for 26 days during April and for all 31
days in May of 2018. While operational, data was collected at each
phase of the process and test results from samples were sent to
Gecko labs with the subsequent results used to optimize plant
processes. The following tests and optimization were conducted:
- Liberation analysis
- Flake size distribution analysis
- Mixing velocity optimization
- Screen size analysis and optimization
- Air flow analysis in columns and optimization
- Drying analysis and optimization
- Silica dispersant ratio optimization
- Reagent optimization
- Product flow rate optimization
- Grade optimization
- Staff recruitment, training, and man-hour analysis
- Economic sensitivity analysis on pilot processing facility
- Feed stock optimization and process
The Company continued to optimize the pilot plant processing
stockpiled graphite mineralization throughout 2018. To date, the
plant has processed 9 tonnes of the graphite mineralization with
5.5 tonnes of graphite concentrate grading between 88% and 96% Cg
shipped to Perpetuus Carbon Technologies ("Perpetuus") for the
manufacture of graphene to be used in the automobile and bicycle
tire industry. Graphene made from Aukam graphite continues to be
tested in Europe and Asia with good results.
Gratomic and Perpetuus are currently in collaboration to build
on Perpetuus' capability to produce high quality surface modified
graphene in support of the anticipated volumes required by the tire
manufacturing industry. Additional applications that have now been
generated in a preproduction format include radiant heating
membranes and super hydrophobic coatings with an addressable market
that include; graphene inks, marine, oil & gas, power
generation, industrial (repair & maintenance), infrastructure
(new build) and automotive & transportation among others.
Plant Expansion
Plant expansion to increase capacity to 20,000 tonne per annum
began in2018. Initial activities included construction of a
platform for drying graphite product and of a washing bay for
equipment, complete with a containment system to collect impacted
water. Steel drying pans, an oven, and two screens were also
assembled and successfully tested. Continued upgrades involved
the extension of the working area on the pilot plant by another 35
metres to the north-west to accommodate new crushing equipment and
conveyer belts. Analysis of all plant processes continues to
optimize efficiencies of each process such as rod mills, flotation
columns, and reagent introduction. Four different tests were run
with the first test being used as a base line. Samples were
taken from the rod mill feed, mill discharge, and screen
under-and-over size. Calculations were made to determine the
amount of chemicals needed to be introduced into the mixers
according to the density and volume of the mixer feed.
Recent upgrades to the processing plant continue with the
arrival of additional commercial scale equipment including;
industrial sized generator, screw conveyors, shaker screens, rod
mill, conveyors, and boom truck.
Gratomic is continuing with its systematic assembly of the
commercial scale graphite processing plant. Next steps will
include:
- Completion of the pilot acid wash. This circuit will be used to
collect engineering data to design the commercial scale plant. This
is an addition to the plant that will allow the company to produce
upwards of 98.5% graphite based on its latest pilot testing results
in the lab.
- Modifications are currently being made to the jaw crusher to
allow it to more effectively crush graphite,
- Rod mill support systems such as maintenance cradles and
cranes, rod loading equipment and control systems are currently
being engineered,
- Flotation circuit mass balances are being explored using pilot
plant data in order to size the pumps and flow lines of the
flotation system,
- Dewatering circuit equipment are currently being
specified,
- Water conditioning systems are currently being designed to
allow close to 100% recycle of water. This includes pH control,
removal of fine suspended solids and removal of dissolved
iron,
- Control systems are being designed for each sub-circuit of the
commercial scale plant.
Camp Construction
Construction of the onsite Management Camp consisting of
offices, laboratory, kitchen, and living quarters, is
ongoing. Work began with two of the larger structures during
Q4/2018.
Qualified Persons
Steve Gray, P.Geo. has reviewed,
prepared and approved the scientific and technical information in
this press release and is Gratomic Inc's "Qualified Person" as
defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure
for Mineral Projects.
About Gratomic Inc.
Gratomic is an advanced materials company focused on mine to
market commercialization of graphite products most notably high
value graphene-based components for a range of mass market
products. We are collaborating with a leading European manufacturer
of graphene to use Aukam graphite to manufacture graphene products
for commercialization on an industrial scale. The company is listed
on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol GRAT.
"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."
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release
contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events
or future performance and reflect management's current expectations
and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect
management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by
and information currently available to the Company. Investors are
cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither
promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties
that may cause future results to differ materially from those
expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date
hereof and, except as required under applicable securities
legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update
or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the
forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified
by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings
with SEDAR in Canada (available
at www.sedar.com).
SOURCE Gratomic
