TIDMALBA
RNS Number : 7930W
Alba Mineral Resources PLC
28 April 2021
Alba Mineral Resources plc
("Alba" or the "Company")
Amitsoq Graphite Update
Purification Test Work Confirms Suitability for Lithium-Ion
Batteries
Alba Mineral Resources plc (AIM: ALBA) is pleased to announce
the results of the latest phase of the independent test work
programme undertaken on graphite material from the Company's
high-grade Amitsoq graphite project in southern Greenland.
Key Points
-- Purification test work on Amitsoq graphite confirms
suitability of Amitsoq graphite for Lithium-Ion Batteries
("LIBs").
-- All material prerequisites for LIBs have now been fulfilled:
-- Amitsoq graphite can be floated to grades above 95%.
-- Particle size distribution is suitable.
-- Bulk density is sufficiently high.
-- Alkaline purification achieves a carbon level of above 99.95%.
-- Two purification methods applied. Standard alkaline
purification achieves very low levels of impurities for LIBs. Acid
purification also possible, subject to modification to intensify
the purification process.
-- LIBs are already the fastest growing market for flake
graphite, with massive growth rates forecast for the next
decade.
George Frangeskides, Alba's Executive Chairman, commented:
"Our test work programme at Pro Graphite in Germany, which has
now concluded, has achieved our objectives. We can now move forward
with our plans to define a large-tonnage deposit at Amitsoq in the
knowledge that our graphite not only has exceptionally high average
grades but is also battery grade material which can be sold into
the electric vehicle sector, which is by far the largest growth
market for graphite."
Details
As announced on 9 February 2021, the results of the previous
round of test work conducted at Pro Graphite in Germany confirmed
that:
- the graphite content of Amitsoq ore is very high, amongst the
highest found in flake graphite deposits globally;
- it is possible to produce a >96% graphite concentrate from Amitsoq ore; and
- Amitsoq graphite appears to be suitable feed material for
Lithium-Ion Batteries ("LIBs"), the fastest growing market for
flake graphite globally.
The Company subsequently commissioned ProGraphite to undertake
one further test work phase in order to assess the purification
behaviour of Amitsoq graphite and confirm whether it is possible to
lower the impurities in the concentrate to typical values for
LIBs.
For the purification test work, two methods were investigated,
acid purification and
alkaline purification. The target for both methods was to reach
a minimum of 99.9% C (Carbon). The purification was done at
standard test conditions which are usually applied to achieve
suitable material for anode material for LIBs. The purification
chemistry employed was a standard composition, meaning the
potential exists for optimisation through adaptation to specific
impurities.
The feed material for both purification tests was the final
concentrate obtained from the prior flotation testwork.
Acid Purification
Acid purification was performed with hydrofluoric acid (HF) as
the main acid. After the first round of purification, the % Carbon
(loss of ignition or LOI) value was measured at 99.93%.
Additionally, an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis was
conducted, which showed that, after two rounds of HF purification,
the LOI value had increased to 99.98% and that all impurities were
within acceptable levels except for the silicon (Si) content which
at 60 ppm was slightly elevated for purified spherical graphite for
LIBs, where the target value for Si is often between 30 and 50
ppm.
Pro Graphite have advised that with additional reaction time or
increased temperature during the reaction or a combination of both,
the Si content can probably be further reduced and that it would
therefore be possible to reach standard specification for the usage
of Amitsoq graphite in LIBs using acid-based purification.
Alkaline Purification
Alkaline purification was undertaken principally using Sodium
Hydroxide (NaOH). The alkaline treatment was carried out using a
standard procedure and was able to reach battery quality (99.95%
LOI).
The ICP results showed that alkaline purification achieves
better results than the acid purification method. The only two
elements which are increased are Sodium (Na) and Nickel (Ni), both
values being a result of the process, not originating from the
material (Na from NaOH, Ni from the Ni crucible used). With process
optimisation procedures, these values can be significantly reduced.
In any event there is usually no specification limit on the Na
value and the Ni content in the graphite is already low in the
concentrate.
Pro Graphite have therefore concluded that the specifications
for anode material for LIBs will be met with alkaline
purification.
Table 1: Summary of resulting LOI
values for purified Amitsoq graphite
method % C (LOI)
acid purification
step 1 99.93
----------
acid purification
step 2 99.98
----------
alkaline purification 99.97
----------
Conclusions
All principal objectives of this final round of testwork to
assess the suitability of Amitsoq graphite for LIBs have been met.
Notably, both the target value for the LOI content of 99.9%, and
the typical specification for spherical graphite of 99.95%, have
been reached.
The standard alkaline purification seems to attack the
impurities more efficiently than the standard acid procedure. With
the alkaline method, the required very low levels of impurities for
LIBs can be reached with a standard procedure. For the HF acid
method, the specifications for LIBs are also reachable, however
some modification of the standard procedure would be required to
intensify the purification process.
To sum up, with regard to the suitability of Amitsoq graphite
for LIBs, all important prerequisites have been fulfilled:
(1) The graphite can be floated to grades above 95%.
(2) The particle size distribution is suitable.
(3) The bulk density is high enough.
(4) The alkaline purification reached a carbon level of above 99.95%.
LIBs are already the fastest growing market for flake graphite,
with massive growth rates forecast for the next decade.
Based on the results obtained so far, Pro Graphite's
recommendation for the final treatment of the concentrate would be
as follows:
(a) The concentrate should be screened at 150 microns, with the
flakes obtained being sold separately.
(b) The remaining material (-150 micron, approx. 85% of the
concentrate mass) looks like a typical grade -195 micron, which
could be used for spherical graphite production.
About Graphite
Graphite is a non-toxic, chemically inert material. Additional
characteristics of graphite are its high electric and thermic
conductivity, excellent lubricity and exceptional thermal shock
resistance. These characteristics mean that graphite is widely used
in a variety of industrial applications. However, graphite is also
an essential component in certain critical technological advances
that are at the forefront of the drive to reduce global CO (2)
emissions. In particular, graphite is the anode material in
lithium-ion batteries which are used to power electric vehicles and
domestic electricity storage systems.
About High Purity Spherical Graphite for the Battery Metals
Sector
To meet battery cell manufacturers' specifications for use as
the anode in lithium-ion batteries, the natural flake graphite must
be purified and shaped into small spheres, at which point the
material is referred to a High Purity Spherical Graphite ("HPSG").
After shaping, the natural flake graphite is purified by chemical
leaching to remove impurities and raise the carbon content to above
99.95% C. HPSG is further processed by coating a single layer of
carbon onto the spheres to produce spherical coated graphite.
Spherical graphite commands much a higher price than selling a
flake graphite concentrate.
About ProGraphite
Headquartered in Germany, ProGraphite GmbH offers professional
expertise in natural graphite and other carbon products, acquired
during several decades of working in the graphite industry
worldwide. ProGraphite's business activities include consulting,
laboratory and mineralogical services. Additionally, due to its
extensive experience in the graphite sector, ProGraphite supports
customers and end users to evaluate the optimal graphite type and
grade for their specific projects.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the Directors of the Company
are responsible for the release of this announcement.
Forward Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements relating
to expected or anticipated future events and anticipated results
that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market
and business conditions, competition for qualified staff, the
regulatory process and actions, technical issues, new legislation,
uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans,
uncertainties resulting from working in a new political
jurisdiction, uncertainties regarding the results of exploration,
uncertainties regarding the timing and granting of prospecting
rights, uncertainties regarding the timing and granting of
regulatory and other third party consents and approvals,
uncertainties regarding the Company's or any third party's ability
to execute and implement future plans, and the occurrence of
unexpected events.
Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing,
uncertainties also exist in connection with the ongoing Coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic which may result in further lockdown measures
and restrictions being imposed by Governments and other competent
regulatory bodies and agencies from time to time in response to the
pandemic, which measures and restrictions may prevent or inhibit
the Company from executing its work activities according to the
timelines set out in this announcement or indeed from executing its
work activities at all. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may
also affect the Company's ability to execute its work activities
due to personnel and contractors testing positive for COVID-19 or
otherwise being required to self-isolate from time to time.
Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided
herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and
uncertainties and other factors.
Competent Person Declaration
The information in this release that relates to Exploration
Results has been reviewed by Mr Mark Austin. Mr Austin is a member
of SACNASP (Reg. No. 400235/06), Fellow of The Geological Society
and Fellow of the Geological Society of South Africa. He has a
B.Sc. Honours in Geology with 38 years' experience.
Mark Austin has sufficient experience that is relevant to the
style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and
to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person
as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for
Reporting of Exploration targets, Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves', also known as the JORC Code. The JORC
code is a national reporting organisation that is aligned with
CRIRSCO. Mr Austin consents to the inclusion in the announcement of
the matters based on his information in the form and context in
which they appear.
Glossary
LOI: Loss on ignition (LOI) is a test used in inorganic
analytical chemistry and soil science, particularly in the analysis
of minerals and the chemical makeup of soil. It consists of
strongly heating ("igniting") a sample of the material at a
specified temperature, allowing volatile substances to escape,
until its mass ceases to change.
For further information, please contact:
Alba Mineral Resources plc
George Frangeskides, Executive Chairman +44 20 3950 0725
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (Nomad)
James Caithie / Liam Murray +44 20 7213 0880
ETX Capital (Broker)
Thomas Smith +44 20 7392 1494
Alba's Project and Investment Portfolio
Project (commodity) Location Ownership
Mining Projects
Amitsoq (graphite) Greenland 90%
----------- ----------
Clogau (gold) Wales 90%
----------- ----------
Gwynfynydd (gold) Wales 100%
----------- ----------
Inglefield (copper, cobalt,
gold) Greenland 100%
----------- ----------
Limerick (zinc-lead) Ireland 100%
----------- ----------
Melville Bay (iron ore) Greenland 51%
----------- ----------
TBS (ilmenite) Greenland 100%
----------- ----------
Oil & Gas Investments
Brockham (oil) England 5%
----------- ----------
Horse Hill (oil) England 11.765%
----------- ----------
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END
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