E-Power Resources (CSE:EPR) is expecting to release the results of recent bulk sampling from its Tetepisca Graphite Project in Québec imminently but is already seeing higher value large flake graphite.
CEO James Cross tells Mining.com.au the bulk sampling aims to show the ease with which the graphite separates from the rock at certain surface targets as well as the flake size distribution.
“That shows you which users might be more interested in it. Battery manufacturers use a lot of fine flake, so kind of the low end of flake graphite,” he explains.
“However, we’re also finding a lot of larger flake graphite, which is applicable to the more specialised things, which means the price per tonne often ends up higher and maybe even in more essential things like defence and where you need extreme heat resistance.”
About 95% of the anode — the negative terminal of a battery — is made up of graphite. Each electric vehicle battery requires 50 to 100 kilograms of the commodity, but more than 80% of global supply currently comes from China.
The phase-one work focused on Graphi-Centre, which is a priority flake graphite surface target.
The program comprised metallurgical, recovery and flake size distribution work, the results of which E-Power wants to have in hand before starting phase two.
“It would be better to have those results before we go out to the field again so we can prioritise different targets on the property,” Cross says.
“Everything we’re looking at is surface targets. So, places where you’re kicking the graphite on the ground or you just scrape away a little overburden in bushes and there it is.”
E-Power last week staked four new claims contiguous with the Graphi-Centre target within the Tetepisca Project.
The company is assessing development options for the Tetepisca Project including funding from a strategic partner and a potential sale.
Write to Angela East at Mining.com.au
Images: E-Power Resources
