Grafite e grafene i materiali del futuro ?

  • Ecco la 60° Edizione del settimanale "Le opportunità di Borsa" dedicato ai consulenti finanziari ed esperti di borsa.

    Questa settimana abbiamo assistito a nuovi record assoluti in Europa e a Wall Street. Il tutto, dopo una ottava che ha visto il susseguirsi di riunioni di banche centrali. Lunedì la Bank of Japan (BoJ) ha alzato i tassi per la prima volta dal 2007, mettendo fine all’era del costo del denaro negativo e al controllo della curva dei rendimenti. Mercoledì la Federal Reserve (Fed) ha confermato i tassi nel range 5,25%-5,50%, mentre i “dots”, le proiezioni dei funzionari sul costo del denaro, indicano sempre tre tagli nel corso del 2024. Il Fomc ha anche discusso in merito ad un possibile rallentamento del ritmo di riduzione del portafoglio titoli. Ieri la Bank of England (BoE) ha lasciato i tassi di interesse invariati al 5,25%. Per continuare a leggere visita il link

Con questi titoli di miniere di grafite non bisogna avere fretta; le produzioni di grafite inizieranno mediamente tra due anni (tranne Flinders che inizierà a luglio 2014) e quindi il mercato per ora è attendista, perché aspetta che le società reperiscano i fondi per installare i macchinari delle miniere.
Comunque, per chi ci crede, è questo il momento di piazzarsi in acquisto, dato che i prezzi delle azioni sono ancora bassi. Quando tutti parleranno di grafite, sarà troppo tardi.
 
Toyota non svilupperà più le auto elettriche

Seeing Future in Fuel Cells, Toyota Ends Tesla Deal


By HIROKO TABUCHIMAY 12, 2014

Toyota said on Monday that it would allow a battery-supply deal with Tesla Motors to expire this year and would focus instead on building cars running on hydrogen fuel cells, a next-generation technology that rivals Tesla’s all-electric systems.

Toyota Motor invested $50 million in Tesla to acquire a 3 percent stake in the Silicon Valley upstart in 2010, and signed a $100 million joint-development deal in 2011 for a version of Toyota’s RAV4 crossover sport utility vehicle that carried Tesla’s electric powertrains. At the time, the two automakers suggested that the RAV4 electric vehicle could be the start of a wider collaboration.

But the electric RAV4 has sold poorly, despite low-cost lease and loan offers Toyota introduced last year to promote sales. And Toyota has increasingly signaled that it sees fuel cells as the most viable zero-emissions technology, putting it at odds with Tesla, an evangelist for electric-vehicle technology. Toyota is also the world’s biggest manufacturer of gas-electric hybrids.

Toyota said in an emailed statement that it was “re-evaluating” its RAV4 electric vehicle, and that Tesla’s supply agreement for the model would “conclude this year.” Toyota said that its contract had called for Tesla to supply 2,500 battery-electric powertrains for the RAV4.

The Japanese automaker said its focus this year would instead be on its four-door sedan powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which it plans to introduce in California next year. The automaker will also focus on developing hydrogen refueling stations to support fuel-cell technology, it said.

Tesla said Friday in a regulatory filing that it expected the supply deal to end this year. Toyota said it would keep its stake in Tesla for now.

“It’s obvious Toyota doesn’t see a market for electric vehicles,” said John O’Dell, green-car analyst at the auto-research site Edmunds.com. “They really see the future of the zero-emission vehicle as the hydrogen vehicle,” he said.

“In partnering with Tesla, there might have been a message there that Toyota was looking at the possibility” of a wider partnership with the Silicon Valley manufacturer, he said. “But they can’t even give these cars away. Why continue doing this?”

The winding down of the supply deal comes just four years after the two automakers announced their partnership to much fanfare, in May 2010, when Tesla bought an assembly plant in Fremont, Calif., that Toyota had closed.

The plant had been the site of a joint venture between General Motors and Toyota. But G.M. ceased production there during its bankruptcy and restructuring in 2009, and Toyota closed the factory a year later.

In return, Toyota agreed to buy $50 million of Tesla common stock and said the companies intended to cooperate on the development of “electric vehicles, parts and production-system and engineering support.”

That came as a surprise to analysts, as Toyota executives had long talked down the all-electric car in favor of the company’s own gas-electric hybrid technology, which cost the automaker millions of dollars to develop.

And yet as momentum built in recent years around all-electric powertrains, Toyota was increasingly criticized for lagging behind in a crucial automotive technology. In 2010, Nissan released the Leaf, which it billed as the world’s first mass-produced all-electric car. General Motors followed with its plug-in Chevrolet Volt.Toyota, for a time, appeared to be hedging its bets. In a joint news conference with Tesla in 2010, Toyota’s chief executive, Akio Toyoda, said the market had not yet chosen the best low-emissions technology. He said the company was preparing for all options.

“When customers do give us their answer,” Mr. Toyoda said, “I want the company to be ready.”

Toyota introduced its own all-electric vehicle in 2012, a car based on its iQ ultra-mini compact that the automaker developed independently. But Toyota has limited sales of that car to fleet customers. At the same time, electric vehicles have struggled to reach the mass market, hindered by consumer concerns over their range and high cost.

Alec Gutierrez, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book, said he did not see the deal’s end as a tremendous **** to Tesla. The boutique automaker would just shift its attention to the Model X sport utility vehicle, he said, which it is set to sell next year. Still, it came as a disappointment, he said.

“There was a hope that this would have taken off and that Toyota would plan a mass-market vehicle,” he said. “But now they’re heading in two different directions.”
 
Toyota said on Monday that it would allow a battery-supply deal with Tesla Motors to expire this year and would focus instead on building cars running on hydrogen fuel cells, a next-generation technology that rivals Tesla’s all-electric systems.


Che voi sappiate le auto che vanno ad idrogeno necessitano di batterie alla grafite ?
 
Large-scale fuel cell applications are being developed that could consume as much graphite as all other uses. (USGS Jan 2012).

Uses of Graphite
• Advance applications led by
emerging ‘cleantech’ markets
• Significant increase in global
demand at a rate of 2 to
4 percent per annum
• Applications for ultra-high
purity graphite include:
lithium-ion batteries, fuel
cells,
pebble bed nuclear
reactors, vanadium flow
batteries, solar PV panels,
high quality synthetic
diamonds, lubricants, etc.
• Traditional uses
connected to the steel and
automotive industries

Questa frase l'ho trovata sul sito di Zenyatta Ventures;
io non ne capisco niente di fuel cell, ma mi pare di intendere che anche li serva la grafite, e che quindi essa verrà utilizzata sia nelle auto elettriche che in quelle a idrogeno.

Chi se ne intende può darmi un aiuto per capire bene se la grafite sarà utilizzata anche nelle fuel cells ?
 
Ultima modifica:
Fuel Cells

In PEM fuel cells, graphite plays an important role as the preferred raw material for bipolar plates. Natural graphite offers unique properties as listed below:
•high electrical conductivity
•chemical inertness
•extremely low permeation coefficient
•mechanical stability
•a favorable price


Battery Specs

Finished Grade

Mesh Size

Surface Area

Alkaline 90-99.9% C -150 + 250
Lead Acid 90-95% C -250 +300
Lithium Ion 99-99.9% C -300 +500 3-13 m2/gram
Spherical Graphite 99.9%C 10 _m - 50 _m 3.7 - 5.4 m2/gram
Fuel Cells 99.9% C -100 +350 1.5 - 6.5 m2/gram
 
On a weight basis the anodes and cathodes that make up the individual half-cells of a fuel
cell stack account for a significant portion of the total mass of the
FC device. Typical plates are compounded mixtures containing up
to 90% graphite so each FC unit can have a substantial quantity of
graphite in its workings.
Graphite is the material of choice for the PEMFC anode and cathode
assemblies. The selection of graphite as the
right material is obvious since graphite is
highly conductive, low in density compared to other conductive
materials, inert, and cost effective.
Graphite is one of the few non-metallic substances that are both
electrically and thermally conductive. Both of these physical
attributes contribute significantly to the success and importance of
graphite in the PEMFC application.
 
Dunque abbiamo accertato che la grafite è utilizzata anche nelle fuel cells ad idrogeno che molte case automobilistiche stanno sperimentando.
Resta da capire che qantità di grafite ci vuole per ogni automezzo; infatti sappiamo che per le auto elettriche necessitano dai 50 ai 100 Kg di grafite, mentre per le fuel cells non saprei dire quanti kg di grafite verranno utilizzati (anche se penso, così a occhio, che ne serviranno molti di meno).
 
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 16, 2014) - LOMIKO METALS INC. (TSX VENTURE:LMR)(LMRMF)(DH8B.F)(Europe: ISIN: CA54163Q1028, WKN: A0Q9W7,) (the "Company") announces that it has received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange to invest, through its wholly owned subsidiary, $300,000 in a private placement at .25 for 1,200,000 shares of Matnic Resources Inc. ("Matnic"), a public company that trades on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX VENTURE:MIK). The transaction is subject to Matnic receiving regulatory approval to a reverse takeover ("RTO") by Graphene 3D Lab ("Graphene 3D").





In addition, Lomiko has created the new 100% owned subsidiary, Lomiko Technologies Inc. ("Lomiko Tech"). The above investment will be done through Lomiko Tech and will only proceed if the RTO receives the approval of the Exchange. This transaction is further to the Company's investment in Graphene 3D, as approved by the Exchange on December 3, 2013. The Company made a $50,000 investment for a 15% interest and was issued 250,000 Series "A" Preferred stock of Graphene 3D. If the RTO is successful, Lomiko will exchange its 250,000 shares of Graphene 3D to shares in the newly formed graphene entity created through the RTO.

"This is an exciting time for graphene and 3D printing companies with large multi-nationals such as Imerys, Samsung and General Electric entering the market." stated A. Paul Gill, CEO, "Lomiko Technologies allows Lomiko to invest in the future of 3D printing and graphene while Lomiko Metals works toward a 43-101 graphite resource in the near term."

On September 17, 2013, Lomiko and Graphene Labs reported that in the first step of the conversion process of graphite to graphene, natural graphite flakes were oxidized and turned into Graphene Oxide ("GO") by a modified Hummer's method. The properties of graphene, including its high conductivity, mechanical strength, and high specific surface area, make it an ideal electrode material.

On January 20, 2014 Graphene 3D Lab reached a significant milestone by filing a provisional patent application for the use of graphene-enhanced material, along with other materials, in 3D Printing (Additive Manufacturing).

Additive Manufacturing is the process of creating a three-dimensional, solid object from a digital file, of virtually any shape. 3D printing is achieved using an additive process, whereas successive layers of material are laid down and create different shapes.

Adding graphene to polymers which are conventionally used in 3D printing improves the properties of the polymer in many different ways; it improves the polymers mechanical strength as well as its electrical and thermal conductivity. The method described in the provisional patent application allows consumers to use the polymer, infused with graphene, together with conventional polymers in the same printing process, thereby fabricating functional electronic devices using 3D printing.

New developments in 3D printing will allow for the creation of products with different components, such as printed electronic circuits, sensors, or batteries to be manufactured. 3D Printing is a new and promising manufacturing technology that has garnered much interest, growing from uses in prototyping to everyday products. Today, it is a billion dollar industry growing at a brisk pace

Graphene 3D Lab Inc. Background

Graphene 3D Laboratories Inc a spin-out of Graphene Laboratories Inc, and Lomiko Metals and focuses on the development of high-performance graphene-enhanced materials for 3D Printing. For more information on Graphene 3D Labs, Inc, visit Home
 
Parere personale

Con i cali degli ultimi giorni, i prezzi delle miniere di grafite sono diventati ancora più attraenti. Certo, per il momento rappresentano solo una scommessa sul futuro, ma mi pare che le cose si stiano mettendo per il verso giusto: le miniere cinesi sono in crisi e nuovi settori richiedono l'uso della grafite.
Chi ha coraggio e disponibilità economiche, può fare il grande passo ed entrare nel magico mondo della grafite.
 
Entriamo nel mercato da 8.000 $ a tonnellata

Independent Test: Focus Graphite Succeeds in Producing Extremely High-Performing Coated Spherical Graphite For Lithium Ion Batteries

Creates the Potential for High Value Sales in the Li-Ion Battery Sector

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 27, 2014) - Focus Graphite Inc. (TSX VENTURE:FMS)(FCSMF)(FKC.F) ("Focus" or the "Company") is very pleased to announce the results from coin cell tests for the lithium ion battery market recently performed on Lac Knife Spherical Graphite ("SPG").

Focus Graphite is the sole owner of the world-class, high-grade Lac Knife natural flake graphite project in Quebec. The Company's aim is to become one of the lowest cost producers of high-purity technology graphite from a vertically integrated business strategy.

Testing was conducted by a globally recognized, North American laboratory with particular expertise in processes related to lithium ion battery technologies. Its clients are some of the most advanced technology-related corporations in the world. The laboratory has completed its testing and has measured the performance properties of Lac Knife's materials on an environmentally sustainable basis. Focus Graphite has withheld the name of the laboratory for reasons of commercial and competitive confidentiality.

Highlights
Lac Knife SPG battery tests evaluate three proprietary formulations that responded very well to CR2016 coin cell performance testing
Large, medium and fine micron size produced outstanding performance metrics
Testing results on the premium medium and fine grades exceed the performance of benchmark commercially available grades by significant percentages.
Tests confirm Focus' capability to tailor lithium ion battery anode grade graphite and value added products to meet the most stringent customer specifications

Focus Graphite Reversible Capacity Irreversible Capacity Loss Surface Area
Coin Cell Test Samples (Ah/kg) (%) (m2/g)
Coarse Carbon Coated SPG Grade (D90=42um) 362.1 6.80 % 0.64 %
Medium Carbon Coated SPG Grade (D50=24um) 363.7 1.44 % 0.48 %
Fine Carbon Coated SPG Grade (D50=17um) 365.1 1.01 % 1.14 %

A benchmark commercial grade of SPG provided a reversible capacity (RC) in the range of 345 to 355 Ah/kg and an irreversible capacity loss (ICL) of 6.5 %, a significantly higher loss compared to the 1.44% and 1.01% ICL for Lac Knife's medium and fine grade samples shown above.

In Lockstep With Industry

"Recent comments by leading North American auto makers signalled two significant market realities," said Focus CEO and Director Gary Economo.

"The first is the need to lower the costs of battery materials to encourage broader consumer interest in moving to electric vehicles. The second is that the potential North American battery market may well enjoy a much larger than anticipated growth in demand," Mr. Economo said.

"Again, these results add another layer of material value that holds the potential to de-risk even further our global enterprise goals," he said.

A detailed summary of the SPG tests is provided below.

SPG grades developed by Focus Graphite may help to solve one of the more difficult challenges holding back market growth for Li Ion batteries, "Increasing cycling capacity." One of the problems in using carbon based materials in Li Ion batteries is that it results in the formation of a Solid Electrolyte Interface ("SEI") layer which produces an irreversible capacity loss which generally ranges between 5 and 10% for benchmark SPG grades currently available in the market place.

Irreversible capacity loss means that a portion of the valuable lithium and graphite is wasted. Thus the efficiency is reduced and the cost increased. Lac Knife anode graphite is unique in having such a low loss.

Two premium (medium and fine) grade SPG's developed by Focus have achieved First Cycle Irreversible Capacity Losses of 1.44% and 1.01%, respectively, truly remarkable results. These lower ICL values of the SPG grades produced by Focus can lead to the production of higher capacity and longer life Li Ion batteries.

Furthermore, the low surface areas of the premium coated grades of SPG at 0.48 and 1.14% m2/g can help to improve the safety of Li Ion batteries. The use of higher surface area carbons in these batteries can cause the temperature of the battery to increase and possibly result in the occurrence of thermal runaways.

Figure 1: The following Galvanostatic charge-discharge curve for the fine SPG grade illustrates the very promising nature of the Lac Knife concentrate. To view Figure 1, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/fms-figure1.pdf.

This material has demonstrated a reversible capacity of 365.08 Ah/kg and an irreversible capacity loss of an ultra low 1.01%. The performance metric is calculated between the two curves in the chart above is the difference between 368.8 and 365.08 on a percentage basis. Approximately an 80% improvement over commercial benchmark grades was achieved.

The unique properties of the Lac Knife high carbon content concentrate that grades 98% C even in the finer grade products down to 200 mesh (75 microns) that are usually the most difficult products to sell. This holds the potential to allow Focus market access to significantly higher margin value added products with a finer grade lower cost product creating a unique opportunity. Additionally, Focus plans to offer the higher value large flake to other growing markets.

The -100 mesh size (150 microns), 98% C and +65 mesh size (230 microns) flake products spheronize very well establishing a unique Lac Knife concentrate quality.

Potentially these excellent Irreversible Capacity Loss ("ICL") results from the Lac Knife high quality flake uncoated concentrate are due to low reactivity at the flake edges compared to other graphite concentrates underlying its inherent value as a feed to the secondary battery market in a green technology revolution.

Also included in the study is a scanning electron photomicrograph of the 99.98 % purified high purity large flake graphite (See Figure 2 below) produced on both a laboratory and pilot plant scale from 98% C Lac Knife +65 mesh flake concentrate. This photomicrograph indicates that the Lac Knife concentrates are uniquely suited to produce high purity lithium ion battery grade graphite. What is important to note is that Lac Knife graphite concentrate consists of very pure graphite flakes with impurities located on the surface of the flakes.

Figure 2: Photomicrograph of Thermally Purified Flake Graphite showing exceptionally clean surfaces and grading 99.98% C. To view Figure 2, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/fms-figure2.pdf.

Such surface impurities can be removed by using less expensive technologies. In the most competitive concentrates on the market, the impurities are intercalated or sandwiched within the layers and are more difficult to remove requiring higher cost processing methods during purification.

Figure 3: Photomicrograph of Thermally Purified Spherical Graphite grading 99.9% C. To view Figure 3, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/fms-figure3.pdf.

The quality of the Lac Knife concentrate is continuing to create the potential for increased margins through to value added products and confirms the Company's plan to evaluate the potential of secondary transformation for as much of the Lac Knife production as is possible. The potential for increased margins from the secondary transformation of graphite concentrate is not included in the current Preliminary Economic Assessment for the project.

Current prices for coated, spherical graphite are at the $8,000 per tonne point. This compares to $20,000 per tonne for battery grade synthetic graphite, the only alternative for the anode in the battery.

"Commercially and competitively, these results open the door for Focus to confidently accelerate our plans to market and sell our battery grade, high margin products to potential partners and customers," said Focus President and COO Don Baxter.

"The data presented validates Lac Knife's potential to become a North American source of low-cost high purity flake graphite concentrate that could, possibly, lead to the production of batteries with better performance," Mr. Baxter stated.

"Further, these results enable us to continue with our vision of producing value added products. In particular, Focus' Director of Manufacturing and Technology Dr. Joseph Doninger and our Consultant, Mr. George Hawley have the capability to lead Focus through the development of various lithium ion battery products with the aim of building higher margin applications and downstream products" Mr. Baxter said.

Dr. Doninger said: "The Lac Knife premium medium and fine grades of coated SPG at 1.44% and 1.01% first cycle irreversible capacity losses and 0.48 and 1.14 m2/g surface areas are better than any similar sized SPGs that I've ever seen."

Battery manufacturers require a cost competitive alternative to current sources of natural SPG. China produces about 90% of the world's purified natural SPG, utilizing methods that are generally regarded as environmentally unsustainable.
 
Tesla è affidabile come cliente ?

Mi fa paura la Tesla; Standard & Poors l'ha declassata a Junk (spazzatura). Le previsioni sono di un acquisto di 100.000 tonnellate di grafite per anno; ma poi avrà i soldi per pagare la merce acquistata ?
 
Intervista al CEO di Lomiko Metals

WSA: Good day from Wall Street. This is Juan Costello, senior analyst with the Wall Street Analyzer. Joining us today is Paul Gill, the CEO of Lomiko Metals. The company trades on the TSX Venture, ticker symbol is LMR, and now on the OTCQX, ticker symbol LMRMF. Thanks for joining us today Paul.

Paul Gill: Good day, Juan.

WSA: Great, now starting off, talk to us about the recent investment in Graphene 3D?

Paul Gill: Yeah. Lomiko has taken a really solid step into Graphene. What we have done is initially formed a company with our partner, Graphene Labs, in November of 2013. We put some seed capital in, formed Graphene 3D Lab, which is working and developing Graphene printers and Graphene filament for specific markets that they are targeting. And early in April, I believe it was, they got interested in a company that was wanting to take them to the public stage, and now that transaction has started, and Lomiko will own 20% approximately of another company that trades on the – will be trading on the TSX Venture.

This will be a good valuation add for Lomiko and it is one of our strategies going forward, getting our foothold into the technology space specifically with Graphene’s potential and 3-D printing’s potential.

WSA: Right, yeah in terms of that process can you talk a little bit, you know, about how that is going to be done as far as the polymers?

Paul Gill: Well, I can’t talk very specifically about it. First of all, I’m not a scientist. And second, there is a patented process that Graphene 3D Lab is centering their IP around. But essentially what we are doing here is taking a normal plastic filament that has only certain qualities and we only create inanimate objects or objects that are not functioning in any capacity in mechanical or electronic. And then create electrically conductive and electronic devices using the Graphene material, which is highly conductive.

WSA: Well, great and so yeah as far as the graphite side of the business, can you bring us up to speed on the recent product placement, which will bring the Quatre Milles project from late stage exploration to the economic assessment phase?

Paul Gill: Yeah, we raised 5.5 million in the Canadian markets in March of 2014 just a few months ago, and we are now setting up to start exploration in Quebec. We have brought a group that has worked with us in previous exploration. That particular property, the Quatre Milles graphite property, has had 23 historicals, and then in our exploration stage one, we did another 23 holes. We found an area that is very amenable to open pitting and near surface and high-grade. Also it has large flakes, and extra large flake components to it, which makes it that much more valuable in the market later on. So we think we have a good prospect there. We have the money to develop it, and we will get it to resource within the 2014, 2015 window.

WSA: Excellent, and talk about the significance of now trading on the OTCQX?

Paul Gill: The OTCQX gives us under the symbol LMRMF the ability to go and market to investors in the United States, where we have already started that process making introductions and putting out information in the United States. We think it is a market that is 10 times the size of Canada. It is very lucrative for us to be there.

We know that people in that market are very oriented towards new technologies, new opportunities, such as 3D printing and Graphene, and we think we will have something that we will really want to get involved in. As we develop, we will initiate further and further forays into that space, and we think that we have got a really winning combination with being able to present a company that trades very actively and at – there is a small – there is a small difference between the bid and ask and the one that has a real future potential.

So what we want to accomplish is to identify key groups and individuals in the United States that are at the forefront of thinking around these particular topics, and bring them in as partners and shareholders of Lomiko.

WSA: Certainly, and so what are some of the factors that you feel make Lomiko unique and able to capitalize on some of the key trends that you have been seeing both on the Graphene and Graphite space?

Paul Gill: Yeah, number one, Lomiko is fully financed right now to get all of what it wants to accomplish both on the technology and the – and the metal side. Number two, we have unique relationships with groups like Graphene Labs, which have a wide open market in the Graphene field, and we have developed technology with that group that is probably only being done by Samsung, General Electric, and large companies. So the investor doesn’t have an opportunity to participate other than with Lomiko in this space, and you know, having – having the involvement of groups within 3-D printing that want to see that develop into more additive manufacturing and something that can be done on a wide scale, we have got the key ingredients to go out there and make a real good opportunity into a really good win.

WSA: Certainly, and what are some of the goals and milestones that you are hoping to accomplish over the next year?

Paul Gill: Well, one of the key things that will happen in the short term is Graphene 3D Lab will be confirmed for trading in the next little while. That will mean that our 18% to 20% stake in that company will be able to be put onto our books at a valuation of $0.25. Those shares are valued at $0.00025 right now. So that will make a big difference.

In addition to that, we will start our second research project with Stony Brook University, and our Graphene super capacitor and that will – that will develop some great news flow. Third, we will have more developments on exploration from our property in Quebec and probably define a value there. So, there is – all of these things are going to add to the valuation arguments with Lomiko within the next year.

I think that means that we are in a great spot right now and introducing our company to investors at this point in time is going to make a big difference for us and for the shareholders because right now we are trading under the financing price that we raised, 5.5 million. We’re trading around $0.065 right now and with market closed on the financing 11,13 [cents per share].

WSA: Great, and so when it comes to investors and the financial community Paul, do you believe that the Lomiko story and your message on the upside are completely understood and appreciated by them and if not, what do you wish investors better understand about the company?

Paul Gill: Yeah, we are not well understood right now because primarily the technology people look at us as a mining play. The mining people look at us as a technology play. It is a little bit tough for them to get their head around the fact that we are both. We want to have that vertical integration. We want to go right from the ground to the product on the shelf.

If that can be accomplished, we would save a lot of money in the middle and 3-D manufacturing – 3-D printing allows us to do that. So – and the materials itself Graphene is not well understood. This is a new material. It is going to be the new plastic. It is 200 times stronger than steel. It is flexible and ultimately it can be stretched over an acre. It is conductive both electronically and thermally. So it is a good insulator and an even better conductor, and it is transparent. So you have all these wonderful properties and materials, and that has to get out to the public.

Once they understand that this company has cutting-edge technology. It has money in the bank to complete all of its tasks, and it is going to have set deliverables over the next year. I think people will start to understand this is a unique opportunity in the markets at this point in time.

WSA: Well, good, and so once again joining us today is Paul Gill, the CEO of Lomiko Metals, which trades on TSX Venture, ticker symbol LMR, as well as now on the OTCQX, LMRMF. And before we conclude here Paul to recap some of your key points, why do you believe investors should consider the company as a good investment opportunity today?

Paul Gill: Well financed, unique, patent pending technologies, unique graphite property that will be able to be compared to significant ones in the market today, and a very attractive share price that will allow investors to get in that mark.

WSA: Well, we certainly look forward to continuing to track the company’s growth and as always reporting your upcoming progress, and we like to thank you for taking the time to join us today Paul, and update our investor audience on LMR. It is always good to have you on.

Paul Gill: Thanks for having me on, and have a great day everyone.
 
Tempi cupi per le miniere di grafite. Eppure sono questi i momenti migliori per fare acquisti. I giacimenti ci sono e non sono spariti, quindi il valore (potenziale) è rimasto intatto, anzi, ogni giorno che passa ci si avvicina alla data dell'inizio delle estrazioni.
Io resto fiducioso, anche se abbacchiato per come stanno andando le quotazioni.
Mi sono dato un orizzonte temporale di due anni, quindi sono disposto ad attendere sino al giugno 2016. Poi si vedrà.
 
Penso di non sbagliare nel dire che questo, per chi ci crede, è il momento migliore per accumulare azioni di aziende della grafite; infatti, per ora, in pochi parlano di grafite e di grafene, ma nel giro di due anni questi materiali sono destinati ad entrare alla grande nella vita di milioni e milioni di persone. Giusto quindi farsi trovare pronti quando anche dal salumiere si parlerà di grafene.
Certo, di sicuro in borsa non c'è nulla, ma l'avventura della grafite mi pare valga la pena di essere vissuta.
 
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jun 17, 2014) - Flinders Resources Limited ("Flinders" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:FDR) provides an update on the work being completed to restart graphite production from the Woxna mine and processing facility in central Sweden. Woxna is a fully permitted brownfields graphite mine, having been on care and maintenance since 2001. The plant refurbishment is on track to allow for recommencement of production during July 2014.





Key progress milestones over the last month include:
Ore crushing has commenced to provide a feed stockpile of crushed ore to the rod mill;
Floatation circuit is complete and ready for wet commissioning;
A new filter press to dewater graphite product has arrived on site and installation is nearing completion;
Tailings dam civil works are progressing to schedule and are substantially complete;
Electrical and mechanical works are substantially complete;
Instrumentation and process controls works nearing completion;
Site lab facilities nearing completion;
Preparations for wet commissioning of the processing plant are underway.

Blair Way, President & CEO states, "The final parts of the processing plant are coming together and the pile of crushed ore is growing in readiness to feed the mill. We are weeks away from the wet commissioning of the processing plant. I look forward to announcing the start of production and the first delivery of Woxna's Swedish made graphite to customers across Europe."

On behalf of the Board,

Blair Way, President and CEO
 
Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. Provides an Update on the Albany Graphite Project, Ontario, Canada

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Marketwired
Zenyatta Ventures Ltd.
June 18, 2014 4:00 PM















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THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jun 18, 2014) - Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. ("Zenyatta" or "Company") (TSX VENTURE:ZEN)(ZENYF) is pleased to announce the progress of ongoing programs on the Company's 100 percent owned Albany Graphite Deposit located in northeastern Ontario, Canada.





Metallurgical Test Work

Metallurgical testing by SGS Canada Inc. ('SGS') at Lakefield of two 5 tonne mini-bulk samples from the East and West graphite pipes is ongoing. SGS has requested additional time to complete the metallurgical scale up and optimization of the flow sheet. Dr. Stephen Mackie, Manager Hydrometallurgical Group at SGS commented, "The test work is proceeding well. At this stage of a mineral project, tweaking of a process flow sheet is quite common and is especially so for Zenyatta's unique Albany deposit. We expect to develop a distinctive process for this graphite deposit." This processing will allow additional optimization of the flow sheet for the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) and provide material for further testing by Zenyatta and interested parties who have requested high purity graphite material.

Work to optimize the process conditions and to prepare materials to meet target customer specifications has been underway for a while and will result in production of a range of BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) surface areas, particle size, particle size distribution and particle morphology characteristics.

Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA")

RPA Inc. ("RPA") continues to prepare an independent Scoping Study that will meet the requirements of a PEA as defined in NI 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The technical data for the study will include among other items: open pit mining methods, metallurgy and processing, infrastructure, environment, manpower requirements, marketing and price assumptions, capital and operating costs, life of mine plan and execution plan. RPA has completed all inputs and is now awaiting the SGS metallurgy and processing data to finalize the PEA. An estimated completion date will be better understood in the next six to eight weeks and another update will be released at that point. Completion of the PEA will be another important milestone for the Company and lay the groundwork for the pre-feasibility study.

In a news release on 2 December 2013, RPA estimates showed Indicated Mineral Resources to date totaling 25.1 million tonnes at an average grade of 3.89% graphitic carbon ("Cg"), containing 977,000 tonnes of Cg. In addition, Inferred Mineral Resources delineated to date are estimated to total 20.1 million tonnes at an average grade of 2.20% Cg, containing 441,000 tonnes of Cg.

Marketing and Business Development

Marketing of the unique Albany high purity graphite material throughout Asia, Europe and North America continues under the leadership of Dr. Bharat Chahar and Mr. Tadashi Yamashita. Generally, interested corporations are looking for large tonnage (long-life), high quality resources capable of producing a superior and consistent product in a politically stable jurisdiction.

The unique nature and attractiveness of the Albany deposit has led to interest from numerous global corporations and academic institutions requesting Zenyatta's ultra-high purity graphite material for testing in their own labs. Additional processing at SGS will provide enough of this material for release to these various parties. The Company has thus far signed in excess of 20 confidentiality agreements with these parties to allow for continued dialogue, potential collaboration and sharing of data, which management expects will lead to a mutually agreeable arrangement.

The world trend is to develop products for technological applications that need extraordinary performance using ultra-high purity graphite powder at an affordable cost. High purity is gaining prominence at a time when Zenyatta discovered a very rare (hydrothermal) graphite deposit, which can be upgraded with very good crystallinity without the use of aggressive acids and high temperature thermal treatment.

Zenyatta continues to develop the unique Albany Graphite Deposit located in northeastern Ontario, Canada. The Company's graphite deposit is located 30 km north of the Trans-Canada Highway, power line and natural gas pipeline near the communities of Constance Lake First Nation and Hearst. A rail line is located 70 km away with an all-weather road approximately 10 km from the graphite deposit.

The outlook for the global graphite market is very promising with demand growing rapidly from new applications. Graphite is now considered one of the more strategic elements by many leading industrial nations, particularly for its growing importance in high technology manufacturing and in the emerging "green" industries such as electric vehicle components. The application for graphitic material is constantly evolving due to its unique chemical, electrical and thermal properties. It maintains its stability and strength under temperatures in excess of 3,000°C and is very resistant to chemical corrosion. It is also one of the lightest of all reinforcing elements and has high natural lubricating abilities. Some of these key physical and chemical propertie


Non mi sembrano cattive notizie, eppure il titolo è crollato.
 
Faccio i complimenti a chi ha aperto questo post,potrebbe essere un ottimo investimento per il futuro,ma come qualcuno dice gli interessi per il petrolio sono tutt'ora molto alti.
In un certo qualmodo anche se non centra nulla mi ricorda retelit un azienda di fibra ottica diffusa in tutto il territorio nazionale ,dove investii un po di soldini certo che come in altre nazioni occidentali avrebbe sfondato ma poi presi una delle cantonate piú grosse della mia vita da investitore.é comunque un argomento da seguire ,ma spesso le logiche e le ideee non vanno di paripasso con i nostri investimenti purtroppo.
 
Faccio i complimenti a chi ha aperto questo post,potrebbe essere un ottimo investimento per il futuro,ma come qualcuno dice gli interessi per il petrolio sono tutt'ora molto alti.
In un certo qualmodo anche se non centra nulla mi ricorda retelit un azienda di fibra ottica diffusa in tutto il territorio nazionale ,dove investii un po di soldini certo che come in altre nazioni occidentali avrebbe sfondato ma poi presi una delle cantonate piú grosse della mia vita da investitore.é comunque un argomento da seguire ,ma spesso le logiche e le ideee non vanno di paripasso con i nostri investimenti purtroppo.

Hai perfettamente ragione. Io ho già vissuto in passato le stesse vicissitudini, prima con il VOIP (voice over internet protocol) dove investii in alcune aziende che però fallirono, fagocitate da Skype; poi con il biofuel, dove investii in due aziende inglesi che però per vari motivi sono miseramente fallite.

Ora spero che la grafite abbia un futuro diverso.
 
Ho letto un gran bene della grafite e del suo derivato grafene; ho quindi selezionato una serie di aziende minerarie canadesi che si occupano dell'estrazione della grafite:

24.04.2014
TITOLO PREZZO ISIN

NORTHERN GRAPHITE 0,78
MASON GRAPHITE 0,68
ZENYATTA VENTURES 3,10
FOCUS GRAPHITE 0,55
LOMIKO METALS 0,065
ENERGIZER RESOURCES 0.120
FLINDERS RESOURCES 0,73

DOLLARI CANADESI
BORSA DI TORONTO


QUOTAZIONI ATTUALI 19.06.2014

NORTHERN GRAPHITE 0,61
MASON GRAPHITE 0,65
ZENYATTA VENTURES 2,39
FOCUS GRAPHITE 0,48
LOMIKO METALS 0,065
ENERGIZER RESOURCES 0,150
FLINDERS RESOURCE 0,80
 
Northern Graphite Announces Update of Expansion Case PEA

Project shows robust economics despite low graphite price environment

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Marketwired
Northern Graphite Corporation
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OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jun 24, 2014) - Northern Graphite Corporation (TSX VENTURE:NGC)(NGPHF) announces that it has updated the Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "PEA") on its 100% owned Bissett Creek graphite project to assess the economics of building a process plant with twice the capacity of the plant contemplated in the Company's Feasibility Study ("FS"). The larger process plant was evaluated due to recent developments in the lithium ion battery industry and strong buyer interest in the extra large flake, high purity concentrates that will be produced using Northern's proprietary purification technology.

The updated PEA indicates that the Bissett Creek Project has very attractive economics even at or below current depressed graphite price levels. The pre-tax internal rate of return ("IRR") is 31.7% (26.7% after tax) and the pre-tax net present value ("NPV") is $264.7 million ($178.9 million after tax) in the base case which is based on an 8% discount rate and a weighted average price of US$1,800/tonne of concentrate which reflects current market conditions.

Development capital costs in the updated PEA have been estimated at $134.1 million (including a 10% contingency) for an operation that will produce an average of approximately 44,200 tonnes of graphite concentrate annually over the first 10 full years of operation. Almost 90% of production will consist of large and extra large flake and battery grade graphite which is by far the highest ratio in the industry. There are also 27.3 million tonnes of Measured and Indicated resources and 24 million tonnes of Inferred resources that are not part of the PEA mine plan and the deposit has not yet been closed off by drilling, all of which indicates that further production expansions are possible.

Gregory Bowes, CEO, commented that: "It has been reported that multiple new graphite mines will be required to supply proposed lithium ion battery manufacturing plants because graphite deposits typically produce a high percentage of non battery grade material, and two thirds of the material that is battery grade is lost in the manufacturing process. However, Bissett Creek may be the only mine that is required to meet market demand due to its very high percentage of battery grade material, lower manufacturing losses and future expansion potential."

Summary of updated PEA Results

Potential Economically Extractable Resources (million tonnes)* 40.5Mt*
Feed Grade (% graphitic carbon) 1.83%*
Waste to ore ratio 0.25:1
Annual processing rate (tonnes per year) 2,000,000
Processing rate (tonnes per day - 92% availability) 5,480
Project life (based on 2.0 Mtpa) 21 years
Mill recovery 94.7%
Average annual concentrate production (tonnes - first 10 years) 44,200
Capital cost ($ millions - including 10% contingency) $134.1
Sustaining capital ($ millions) $55.1
Cash operating costs ($/tonne of concentrate) $736
Mining costs ($/tonne of process feed material) $3.74
Processing costs ($/tonne of process feed material) $7.78
General and administrative costs ($/tonne of process feed material) $1.45
Concentrate transportation to Montreal ($/tonne of process feed material) $0.55
CDN/US dollar exchange rate $0.95US = $1 CDN

* The PEA production plan is based on 24 million tonnes ("Mt") grading 2.20% Cg (as estimated in the FS) being processed first followed by the processing of 16.1 million tonnes of Measured and Indicated resources grading 1.26 % Cg from a low grade stockpile. All grades are diluted. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

PEA Update
(base case)
Average graphite price (US$ per tonne) $2,100 $1,800 $1,500
Pre tax Net Present Value @8% (CDN$ millions) $380.9 $264.7 $148.4
Pre tax IRR (%) 40.7% 31.7% 22.2%
After tax Net Present Value @8% (CDN$ millions) $257.9 $178.9 $99.0
After tax IRR (%) 33.9% 26.7% 18.9%

The PEA was originally undertaken to demonstrate the ability to meet expected future growth in graphite demand by substantially increasing production from the Bissett Creek deposit after three years of operation based on Measured and Indicated resources only. The PEA built on the Feasibility Study completed by G Mining in August, 2012 and the expanded resource model, mine plan and updated FS economics completed by AGP Mining Consultants ("AGP") in September, 2013. P&E Mining Consultants Inc. ("P&E") reviewed the AGP mine plan and modified it to commence production at the expanded 2.0 Mtpa production rate in Year 1 rather than ramping up in Year 3 and to more aggressively backfill the open pit with waste. WorleyParsons Canada updated the capital and operating costs for the process plant which represents a portion of the total capital and operating costs for the project. Consistent with industry practice, the estimates have been prepared with an engineering accuracy of +15/- 20%.

Graphite Markets and Pricing

Graphite prices have fallen 50% or more from their 2012 peak due to the economic slowdown in China and a lack of growth in the US, Europe and Japan. Recently, it has been reported that Chinese flake production has fallen 30% as uneconomic and polluting mines are being closed. Current prices are at the marginal cost of production for many producers which should limit further price declines. The weighted average price that would be realized by Bissett Creek concentrates in the current market is estimated at US$1,800/t which is the highest in the industry because approximately 50% of production will be +50 mesh extra large flake and another 40% is +80 mesh large flake. Current graphite pricing is approximately $2,100/t for +50 mesh XL flake concentrates, $1,300/t for +80 mesh large flake, $1,100/t and $900/t for +100 mesh and +150 mesh medium and small flake respectively, and less than $500/t for -150 mesh fines. Typical graphite deposits only have about 15% XL flake and over one third -150 mesh fines, and would realize average prices in the range of $1,000-1,200 per tonne of concentrate under current conditions, assuming a market for the fines.
 
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