Traditional market downstream testwork conducted at independent consultancy ProGraphite GmbH (ProGraphite) in Germany has delivered positive initial test results for Sovereign Metals (ASX:SVM).
Preliminary tests confirm that graphite concentrate produced from the company’s Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project in Malawi exhibits prerequisite characteristics required for graphite sales into the refractory materials sector.
CEO Frank Eagar says these initial test results for traditional graphite applications are very promising.
High resistance to oxidation and low levels of sulphur are two key attributes required to produce a premium graphite product for traditional refractory and foundry applications. Combining these attributes with the > 50% large flakes of the Kasiya resource provides Sovereign with multiple marketing options, Eager says.
“Our evaluation of coarse Kasiya concentrate for traditional applications will continue in the coming months, complementing the optimisation work on the fine (<180 micron) fraction for anode materials, where we have also had excellent initial results,” the CEO adds.
“We are very pleased that our testwork program continues highlighting Kasiya’s graphite’s premium quality. Keeping in mind that graphite is a co-product for Kasiya, when combining these excellent results with one of the largest graphite resources globally, industry-low operating costs and lowest industry comparable greenhouse gas emissions, Kasiya presents significant advantages over its graphite peers as a long-term secure source of supply.”
Flake graphite for refractory applications should have high oxidation resistance, low levels of impurities and low loss on ignition at moderate temperatures. Sample characterisation shows high fixed carbon and low volatiles, confirming prior results regarding the purity of Kasiya flake graphite.
Traditional demand for natural graphite is primarily tied to the steel industry where it is used as a component in bricks that line both blast and electric arc furnaces (refractories) and as a liner for ladles and crucibles.
In the automotive industry, it is used in brake linings, gaskets and clutch materials. Graphite also has many other industrial uses in lubricants, carbon brushes for electric motors, fire retardants, and insulation and reinforcement products
The size of the flakes typically determines a graphite product’s use. Typically, large flake graphite is used in refractory applications, while smaller flake sizes are used in battery applications.
Very small graphite flakes tend to have limited usefulness, mainly for lubricants.
The flake size distribution of Kasiya’s current graphite Mineral Reserve indicates that Kasiya’s graphite could be used for several applications.
This provides Sovereign Metals with optionality over offtake discussions and future supply chains to maximise revenues generated by Kasiya’s graphite co-product.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Sovereign Metals
