Kingsland Minerals (ASX:KNG) has returned 99.7% purified spherical graphite (PSG) from metallurgical testwork at the Leliyn Graphite Project in the Northern Territory as the company seeks to progress its strategy of becoming a supplier to the critical minerals market.
Low temperature alkaline bake metaphors produced grades up to 99.96%, before the dilute acid wash boosted it to 99.97%, while the higher temperature remained at 99.96%.
The company conducted two tests using different alkaline methods, one with a 250o bake temperature, and the other with a 500o bake temperature.
Samples will be provided to the company’s offtake partner, Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners to assess the parameters of a proposed downstream processing facility.
The facility will be located in Darwin, with intention of producing PSG from the concentrate.
The company intends to deliver a Scoping Study of the project next month, while also optimising the processing flow-sheet for a consistent grade of graphite concentration with a particle size that suits the micronising and spheronising process.
Managing Director Richard Maddocks says the results returned confirms the company’s ability to produce ‘high-grade’ purified spherical graphite from the project, marking “exceptional” progress on its first attempt.
“These are clearly exceptional results which show our strategy to be a leading graphite provider to the EV and renewable energy sectors is well on track,” Maddocks says.
“These results further demonstrate the Leliyn Graphite Project has the potential to supply a high value, Australian-made spherical graphite product.
“Now we know we can produce a final product, we will focus on optimising the whole process chain to produce superior graphite concentrate for the battery anode market.”
Graphite plays a critical role in the electric vehicle industry, as the globe shifts towards clean energy to reach net zero emissions.
The commodity accounts for around 10-20% of an electric vehicle’s lithium-ion battery weight, according to lithium battery and clean metals recycler Aqua Metals (NASDAQ:AQMS).
As reported by Mining.com.au, the graphite market is expected to be boosted at a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%, jumping from US$8.32 billion this year to US$13.35 billion ($20.77 billion) by 2032.
Kingsland Minerals is an explorer focused on its graphite, uranium, and nickel assets in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Kingsland Minerals
