International Graphite (ASX:IG6) has returned concentrate grades greater than 97% total graphite carbon (TGC) following metallurgical tests on graphite samples from recent drilling at its Springdale Graphite Project in Western Australia.
The company says these ‘outstanding’ results were returned from the first of 2 flotation tests conducted on samples gathered from the new SDE_1 exploration target about 2km from the existing Springdale mineral resource. Concentrate grades reaching commercial product quality at 97.4% TGC have been returned.
International Graphite notes the work conducted on the 6m composite samples boasted an average grade of 20.5% from 14m depth, and achieved graphite recovery into concentrate up to 93.7%.
These results are also expected to strengthen the expectations for the ability to apply a simple, low cost, flotation process in order to produce high quality graphite concentrates at Springdale for downstream processing.
Metallurgical testing was carried out by ALS-Metallurgy at its laboratory in Perth, Western Australia, under the management of BatteryLimits and was focused on concentrate grade performance and improving recoveries while maintaining concentrate grade.
Speaking on the results, International Graphite Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director Andrew Worland says: “The results provide further evidence that graphite mineralisation at Springdale is amenable to a simple low-cost flotation process and could produce high quality, low impurity concentrate suitable for battery anode material processing.
“The results provide further evidence that graphite mineralisation at Springdale is amenable to a simple low-cost flotation process and could produce high quality, low impurity concentrate…”
Since June last year, we have completed more than 11,000 metres of drilling. As well as infill on the existing resource, we have focused on new targets identified by an earlier aero magnetic survey. So far we have made three new discoveries with assays still pending for RC drilling at SDE_1. Drilling is continuing within the existing mineral resource and at Springdale Central, with further drilling likely at SDE_1 to conclude the current campaign.
We are pleased with how the Springdale Graphite Project and our downstream facilities at Collie are being developed and integrated and advancing towards becoming Western Australia’s first mine to market producer of battery anode material.”
The company also notes these results come following the appointment of mining industry veteran David Pass as its new Chief Technical Officer, as announced by the company in January 2023.
Pass has 30 years’ experience in the mining industry which he has gathered from various senior positions across all facts of operational processing, process design, project management, due diligence, and management of mine operations.
International Graphite is an emerging supplier of processed graphite products, including battery anode material, for global electric vehicle and renewable energy markets. The company is currently working to develop a sovereign Australian ‘mine to market’ capability, with integrated operations located in Western Australia.
One such project is the Springdale project, located about 25km east of Hopetoun and 150km from the ‘major’ export port of Esperance. The project is situated within a ‘strong’ mining hub with established infrastructure and services, which also hosts other ‘major’ operations, including the Ravensthorpe nickel mine, which is owned by Canadian-based mining and metals company First Quantum Minerals (TSE:FM).
Images: International Graphite Ltd
