Perth miner Blackstone Minerals Limited (ASX: BSX) has produced its first batch of battery-grade Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM) 811 precursor sample, achieving an NCM purity level of >99.7%.
The NCM811 precursor sample was produced in Simulus Engineer’s lab using a nickel concentrate blend that included material from Blackstone’s Ban Phuc Disseminated Sulfide (DSS) orebody and other third-party feed sources.
Battery-grade specification met
The company reports that chemical analysis of the first batch precipitate has met battery grade specification:
- Ca <100, all 4 meet specification
- Cu < 10, all 4 meet specification
- Cr < 10, all 4 meet specification
- Mg <100, 1 of 4 below (meets) specification
- Zn <10, all 4 meet specification
PFS for Ta Khoa refinery project
Blackstone Minerals has confirmed that a pre-feasibility study for the development of the Ta Khoa downstream refinery in Northern Vietnam will be released on the 26th of July 2021, with the PFS currently in its final review stages.
“The production of high purity NCM811 Precursor is an important milestone for the Company”
Management statements
Blackstone Minerals’ Managing Director Scott Williamson said: “The production of high purity NCM811 Precursor is an important milestone for the Company as we take the next steps towards our ambition to become a globally significant producer of Class I nickel products for the Lithium-ion battery industry.
The much-anticipated PFS will be presented to the market on the 26 July 2021, and we expect that this will be a major catalyst for the next phase and growth and development for the Company.”
Images: Blackstone Minerals Limited