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HIGHLIGHTS
- Bench scale metallurgical tests have achieved high purity fine flake graphite suitable for purified spherical graphite (PSG) production.
- Average purity of 94% total graphitic carbon (TGC) with excellent recoveries of ~95%.
- Results were achieved through a conventional graphite flotation process (non-chemical, non-thermal) with potential for improvement with further optimisation test work.
- Lacroma’s metallurgical properties are conducive to a low-cost operation.
- Planning progressing for bulk sample production and for purification and spheroidisation test work.
iTech Minerals Ltd (ASX: ITM, iTech or Company) and metallurgical consultants, METS Engineering, have achieved a significant milestone at the Lacroma Graphite Project with the production of a 94% TGC concentrate and exceptional recoveries of ~95% using an industry standard flotation circuit.
We targeted an industry-standard 80% recovery rate with our first round of metallurgical test work, so exceeding it by such a significant margin so early on in the process using simple flotation techniques is incredibly encouraging. It really highlights the potential the Lacroma Graphite Project has to produce a high-quality, low-cost graphite product for the growing battery materials market.
NEXT STEPS
3kg of flotation concentrate will now be produced through bulk flotation test work. A flowsheet has been designed and approved. Scheduling of the bulk flotation is underway with ALS Laboratories in Perth, WA, with plans to complete the flotation in the next few weeks.
The 3kg of bulk flotation will then be used to undertake the next stages of spheroidization and purification test work with the aim of producing a purified spherical graphite product that meets all industry standards for battery anode material in lithium-ion batteries.
If successful, iTech will be able add substantial graphite new mineralisation to its growing inventory of resources that can produce high quality purified spherical graphite.
The 3kg of bulk flotation will then be used to undertake the next stages of spheroidization and purification test work with the aim of producing a purified spherical graphite product that meets all industry standards for battery anode material in lithium-ion batteries.
If successful, iTech will be able add substantial graphite new mineralisation to its growing inventory of resources that can produce high quality purified spherical graphite.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SCIENCE OF METALLURGY
WATCH: In this iTech Explainer (4min), MD Mike Schwarz and Prof Bill Skinner cover:
• The challenges of processing fine graphite for the battery market
• The breakthrough technologies that have emerged since Archer Materials last conducted tests on the Sugarloaf Prospect
• The potential cost savings from developing a new processing flowsheet at Sugarloaf
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