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

Buone notizie ma il titolo crolla

VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - Sep 5, 2014) - LOMIKO METALS INC. (TSX VENTURE: LMR) (OTCQX: LMRMF) (DH8B.F) (the "Company") reports that Consul-Teck of Val-d'Or has completed prospecting and cartography work on the Quatre Milles West property to investigate the positive VLF survey results reported on July 14, 2014. Samples were taken from several areas indicating significant presence of surface graphite, and channel sampling was performed where mineralized outcrops were well exposed.





"The extent of near surface graphite mineralization at Quatre Milles West is an unexpected surprise that prompted our geological team to investigate further," stated A. Paul Gill, CEO of Lomiko Metals Inc. "Prospecting now confirms we have a new discovery that merits a drilling campaign."

Forty-three grab samples and 39 channel samples were taken during the prospecting campaign along the mineralized zone with visible crystalline flake graphite. Channel samples targeted a mineralized zone along a thick marble unit (2-10 metres) that can be traced for at least 1 km.

The major concentration of significant graphite was observed in carbonate-rich units, such as marble, calcsilicate rocks and some paragneiss. The facies show graphite observed in the zone with alternation of thin decimetric biotite-rich paragneiss and mid-grained marble. The past sedimentology conditions for such basins would suggest significant basin depth that would generate partial-extinction plankton (microorganisms). The presence of pyrrhotite in that lithology is consistent with this hypothesis.

Multiple tectonic episodes created the conditions needed to change the morphology of the lithologies and concentrate the graphite.

Mylonitisation concentrated the graphite into a series of dark, parallel, centimetre-thick layers in a marble that originally showed a low grade. Such zones are planar with varying thicknesses and concentrations that depends on the size of the potential crosscutting lithology.

Most of the VLF anomalies strike E-W and appeared to be associated with faults, rivers, swamps, marshes and moraines. Actual synsedimentary graphite mineralization sub-conforms to foliation, so would have an NE-SW orientation and a thickness of 2-10 m. The current geophysical interpretation does not indicate this orientation.

Locally, a tectonic enrichment of graphite showed an E-W direction, diving lower to the South. The graphite bodies generated by tectonic enrichment will be thin and limited to the fertile lithologies.

Previously-reported drill results at the Quatre Milles property indicate extensive mineralization in the region. The Quatre Milles Project NI 43-101 Technical Report with all Phase I and historical drill results can be found on the Lomiko website. On March 13, 2014, Lomiko closed a financing for $5.5 million for the purpose of advancing the Quatre Milles property and investing in technology.

All the samples were sent for analysis in sealed containers to the Chemex laboratory in Val-d'Or by employees of Consul-Teck. The samples are weighed and identified prior to sample preparation. The samples are crushed to 70% minus 2 mm, then separated and pulverized to 85% passing 75µm. All samples are analyzed for carbon graphite using C-IR18.

Jean-Sebastien Lavallée (OGQ #773), geologist, shareholders and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this release.
 
C'è da soffrire ancora; evidentemente l'argomento grafite non è ancora di moda e i prezzi delle azioni subiscono forti scossoni al ribasso.
Chissà se arriverà il giorno in cui scatterà la caccia alle azioni della grafite ?
 
Toronto,Canada, Sept. 11, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tesla Motors Inc. (TSLA ) has announced their intentions to build a $6 billion dollar lithium-ion battery factory in Nevada capable of producing enough batteries to power 500,000 vehicles every year. According to industry sources, every electric car requires about 100 lbs. of natural flake graphite. With 11 times more graphite in a lithium-ion battery than lithium, electric vehicles represent a significant future off-take demand for flake graphite.

Tesla alone will require six new mines - double the global demand

The Tesla Giga-Plant, at full operation, will require the equivalent of six new, full-scale graphite mines and would consume the entire amount of flake graphite used today for batteries globally.. This represents a doubling of the world's demand for flake graphite for batteries. Presently, the U.S. does not have any producing graphite mines and imports 100% of its graphite and just last year, the U.S., the United Kingdom and the European Union designated graphite as a critical mineral. It's easy to understand why.

Not all graphite is the same

Graphite comes in basically two forms, powder (amorphous) and flake. Powder is the plentiful and cheap form used in pencils, lubricants, and brake pads. Flake graphite is the scarcer form, it commands the highest selling price and is the only form of graphite that can be used in all 180-plus applications we use on a daily basis that depend upon graphite. Flake graphite is the only form of natural graphite that can be used lithium-ion batteries and is used exclusively in new tech applications such as graphite foils, which are used in almost every consumer electronics product you own to cool your electronics. Flake graphite is the requisite mineral behind nearly all advancements in new innovations and nano-technologies. Flake graphite in its single-layer form is the 'wonder-product' graphene, and is the key raw material used in large-scale energy storage systems and pebble-bed nuclear reactors.

In addition to the graphite used in every lithium-ion battery, portable electronics increasingly rely on graphite to cool components and dissipate heat. Very thin sheets of graphite foil, made exclusively from natural graphite flake, line the insides of electronics and act as both a sealant and a heat sink for all laptop computers, tablets, flat panel televisions, solar panel arrays, cellular phones and smartphones. Graphite foil is one of the fastest growing end-use segments for flake graphite.

Where will we get all that graphite?

Enter Energizer Resources' Molo Graphite project - a world-class flake graphite deposit that you have probably never heard of. Energizer Resources Inc. OTCQX: ENZR, is sitting on the proverbial mother lode. It's 100% owned and operated Molo project in Madagascar is one of the largest, most advanced, high-quality flake graphite deposits in the world. Energizer is just weeks away from releasing a bankable feasibility study on the project and is well positioned to have a first-mover advantage in being major supplier of high quality flake graphite to the world.. Energizer is already at the stage where it has entered into advanced discussions regarding off-take and project investment agreements with over 20 of the world's largest flake graphite buyers and end-users in the refractory, lithium-ion battery and consumer electronics industries. Next steps consist of multi-national companies running full-scale, multi-tonne production runs of graphite-based end products using Energizer's graphite. Pending successful test runs, Energizer would be able to secure a "preferred supplier" status for flake graphite with these potential customers.

The Molo

The Molo 100% flake and it is massive. The NI 43-101 resource of 141 million tones has a mine life of over 130 years and its expandability is virtually limitless. The Molo alone represents less than 1% of the total graphite confirmed on Energizer's property. The graphite at the Molo deposit sits immediately at surface, which means very low-cost, open pit mining with no stripping waste. Energizer has partnered with DRA , Africa's largest mine builder and operator, which ensures a turn-key solution when it comes to construction and operation of the future mine. This provides added confidence for both investors and future customers for the timeline of the mine. . The Molo has passed government environmental permitting, and is within easy trucking to two major sea ports serving transportation corridors to the world's highest graphite demand markets: Japan, China, India and South Korea. Production is targeted for mid-2016.

Market Response

Powerhouse Institutions on both Wall Street and Bay Street have now started to pay attention to Energizer Resources Inc. OTCQX: ENZR. Notable investors are JP Morgan, Canada's largest resource investment bank, Dundee Resources, , and mutual fund giant AGF Group. Analysts covering ENZR with buy recommendation include well known Canadian and European institutions GMP Securities and Stormcrow Capital Ltd.

Profitability

Based upon early and robust economic studies, the sheer size and quality of the deposit, as well as manufacture demand for this specific type of high-quality flake graphite, Energizer expects their investor's payback periods to be only three years with very healthy margins. The Molo is easily expandable and can meet market demand as required.

The stars are aligning for Energizer to supply one of the most innovative materials of our time - applicable in everything from electric vehicles to energy storage to safe nuclear applications. Given everything we now know about graphite and its rising status in the world of strategic minerals, Energizer's Molo Graphite Project represents one vital source of supply and is shaping up to be an undeniable opportunity for investors.

To learn more about Energizer and its Molo Graphite Project, visit Energizer Resources (ENZR) at Energizer Resources or call 1.416.364.4911
 
Che batoste che hanno preso ieri le aziende della grafite; evidentemente non sono ancora di moda. Ma io aspetto che lo divengano e allora me le dovranno pagare care le mie azioni.
 
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sep 17, 2014) - Energizer Resources Inc. (EGZ.TO)(ENZR)(YE5.F) ("Energizer" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has engaged an agent (the "Agent") to conduct a brokered private placement, on a best efforts basis, of common shares (the "Common Shares") of the Company (the "Offering") to raise gross proceeds of up to US$4,800,000 with an issue price of US$0.14 per Common Share (the "Offering Price"). The Offering Price was negotiated between the Company and the Agent, in the context of the market price for shares of the Company following the engagement of the Agent in respect of the Offering, and prior to the recent appreciation of the Company's share price.





In connection with the Offering, Energizer will pay to the Agent a cash fee equal to up to 6% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering and will issue to the Agent warrants (the "Broker Warrants") to purchase that number of Common Shares equal to 6% of the aggregate number of Common Shares sold in the Offering. Each Broker Warrant will have a term of 24 months following its issue and be exercisable at the same exercise price as the Common Shares.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a minimum six month hold period. The closing of the Offering is subject to the final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") and other conditions, including satisfactory due diligence. The closing of the Offering is expected to be on or around September 24, 2014.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used primarily to fund the production of additional graphite concentrate samples from the Molo Project in Madagascar, for distribution to potential offtake groups and end users of graphite which the Company are in advanced discussions with and for general working capital purposes.

The Company has obtained conditional approval from the TSX for the listing of all Common Shares issuable pursuant to the Offering (including those underlying the Broker Warrants). Listing will be subject to satisfying all of the requirements of the TSX.
 
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sep 17, 2014) - Energizer Resources Inc. (EGZ.TO)(ENZR)(YE5.F) ("Energizer" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has engaged an agent (the "Agent") to conduct a brokered private placement, on a best efforts basis, of common shares (the "Common Shares") of the Company (the "Offering") to raise gross proceeds of up to US$4,800,000 with an issue price of US$0.14 per Common Share (the "Offering Price"). The Offering Price was negotiated between the Company and the Agent, in the context of the market price for shares of the Company following the engagement of the Agent in respect of the Offering, and prior to the recent appreciation of the Company's share price.



Accidenti ma non potevano aspettare due giorni in più ed emettere le nuove azioni al nuovo prezzo raggiunto in borsa ?
Davvero una pessima operazione che ha comportato il passaggio da 30 $ a 20 $ in soli due giorni.
 
Lomiko Options 40% of the La Loutre Crystalline Flake Graphite Property From Canada Strategic Metals

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Sep 23, 2014) - LOMIKO METALS INC. (TSX VENTURE:LMR)(LMRMF)(DH8B.F) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has optioned a 40% interest in the La Loutre Crystalline Flake Graphite Property located in Quebec. Of particular interest to Lomiko was an area of the property which reported grab samples up to 22.04% Carbon Flake Graphite (CFG) and Carbon Purity Test results reporting up to 100.00% Carbon Purity in the Large and Extra Large Flake Graphite.

Lomiko will acquire a 40% interest in the La Loutre Property by issuing an aggregate of 1,250,000 common shares, at a deemed price of $0.07 Cdn. per share, by paying $12,500 cash and by incurring $500,000 in Exploration Expenditures, as follows:
1.paying to the Optionor $12,500 cash on signing this Agreement (non-refundable);
2.issuing to the Optionor 1,250,000 common shares within ten (10) business days following the date of TSX approval (Effective Date); and
3.incurring Exploration Expenditures aggregating not less than $500,000 on an exploration program by not later than the first anniversary of the Effective Date.

The Agreement is subject to approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The La Loutre Property consists of 1 large contiguous block of 42 mineral claims totaling 2,508.97 hectares (25.09 km2) located approximately 53 km east of Timcal's Lac des Iles graphite mine, 117 km northwest of Montréal in southern Québec.

The La Loutre Property was originally explored for base and precious metals by Soquem in 1989. Based on the results of a helicopter-borne electromagnetic (EM) survey, prospecting and reconnaissance geological mapping, their work identified several zones of parallel conductors each measuring as much as 2 kilometers long. Ground exploration followed in 1990, and according to historical reports by Levesque and Marchand, graphite is present in different lithologies on the property. The geology is consistent with the Central Metasedimentary Belt of the Grenville Province and includes quartzofeldspathic rocks, quartzite, biotite gneiss, marble and locally pegmatitic quartzofeldspathic rocks. Graphite is locally present in quartzite and biotite gneiss and in shear zones where the graphite content usually ranges from 1-10% graphite on surface, including visible flakes, with the showings indicating an apparent strike length of approximately 5 kilometers, giving a large prospective area to explore for a graphite resource.

Graphite grab sample assay results derived from the Company's recent sampling and mapping program on the La Loutre property. The sampling program has confirmed a graphite bearing structure covering an area approximately 7 kilometers by 1 kilometer with results of up to 22.04% graphite in multiple parallel zones of 30-50 meters wide. Another area has also been identified covering approximately 2 kilometers by 1 kilometer in multiple parallel zones of 20-50 meters wide which includes results up to 18% graphite.
 
A giudicare dall'andamento delle quotazioni delle aziende della grafite, non siamo ancora per nulla di moda. Penso che ci vorrà almeno un anno per avere delle prime soddisfazioni e due anni per vedere delle quotazioni veramente interessanti.
 
VANCOUVER, Sept. 24, 2014 /CNW/ - Flinders Resources Limited ("Flinders" or the "Company") (TSXV:FDR.V - News) is pleased to provide an update on the Woxna project and the official opening ceremony that was held on site on September 17, 2014.

The opening ceremony was attended by over 90 people including local stakeholders, graphite consumers, industry commentators and Flinders staff. The ribbon to officially start the plant was cut by Yoomi Renström, the mayor of nearby Edsbyn. Also in attendance was a representative from the Consulate of Canada in Sweden.

It was encouraging to have the many supporters of our project at site at one time. Customers, contractors, suppliers, regulators and the community were able to share a meal, tour the facility, and watch graphite in production. This ceremony marks the official start of the facility which has been operating since July. The plant is now ramping up to produce to a number of graphite specifications tailored to customer requirements.

Blair Way, President & CEO, states,

"We were pleased with the large turnout to celebrate the successful restart of production. The weather was amazing and all attendees had an up close and personal visit with the plant and management at the Woxna facility. It was a great day for Flinders to showcase the efforts of the past 12 months, and I congratulate all staff and contractors for the safe and successful delivery of the project."
 
Ho sfruttato questo momento di grande debolezza per incrementare la mia posizione su Focus Graphite.
Le aziende della grafite sono ancora sconosciute al grande pubblico; mi auguro che presto divengano di pubblico dominio e che scatti la caccia al titolo grafitaro.
 
Penso che il crollo di questi giorni sia dovuto alla situazione economica generale; il calo dell'economia porta a minori investimenti e minore produzione, quindi minore richiesta di materie prime, con relativo calo dei prezzi.
Ora anche la nostra grafite subisce questo influsso negativo e il suo prezzo è destinato a scendere. Per di più le nostre miniere sono profittevoli solo sopra certi prezzi, quindi c'è il rischio che a prezzi troppo bassi, le miniere nemmeno verranno aperte.
Sintomatico è il caso di Flinders Resources che è l'unica sino ad ora in funzione, che ha perso il 50% del suo valore.
Vedremo, forse questi tempi finiranno e la richiesta di grafite tornerà a salire e con essa le quotazioni delle nostre miniere.
 
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA and MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Oct 6, 2014) - Lomiko Metals Inc. ("Lomiko") (TSX VENTURE:LMR)(LMRMF)(DH8B.F) and Canada Strategic Metals Inc. ("Strategic Metals" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:CJC)(YXEN.F)(CJCFF) are very pleased to announce that a drilling permit for the La Loutre Crystalline Flake Graphite Property has been issued which allows for up to 29 drill holes. On September 23, 2014 Lomiko optioned 40% interest in the La Loutre Crystalline Flake Graphite Property located in Quebec last month. A full set of results was reported in that news release.

The goal of the exploration program is to identify high-grade, near-surface graphite mineralization suitable for conversion to battery-grade graphite. The graphite industry could see exponential growth based on new demand for lithium-ion batteries, which use 10 to 15 times as much graphite as lithium.

Telsa Motor Cars and Panasonic announced a new Lithium-ion Giga-factory in Nevada which is estimated to double the yearly supply of Li-ion batteries by 2020. Currently, synthetic graphite with consistent carbon purity of 99% or more is used in Li-ion batteries. This effects the graphite market in two ways. One, the price of synthetic graphite is likely to increase based on increased demand for all graphite products. Two, if a natural, cost-effective source of consistently high carbon purity graphite is derived from a property, groups such as Telsa could use the material directly in their batteries.

Of particular interest to Lomiko was an area of the property which reported grab samples up to 22.04% Carbon Flake Graphite (CFG) and Carbon Purity Test results reporting up to 100.00% Carbon Purity in the Large and Extra Large Flake Graphite.

Graphite grab sample assay results derived from a recent sampling and mapping program on the has confirmed a graphite bearing structure covering an area approximately 7 kilometers by 1 kilometer with results of up to 22.04% graphite in multiple parallel zones of 30-50 meters wide. Another area has also been identified covering approximately 2 kilometers by 1 kilometer in multiple parallel zones of 20-50 meters wide which includes results up to 18% graphite. Grab samples are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent the average grade of a deposit. The drilling program is designed to test these areas.

Jean-Sebastien Lavallée (OGQ #773), geologist, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this release.

On Behalf of the Board

A. Paul Gill, Chief Executive Officer
 
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Oct 8, 2014) -





Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

Mason Graphite Inc. ("Mason Graphite" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:LLG)(MGPHF) is pleased to report the second batch of assay results from the 2013-2014 drilling program at its Lac Guéret project in northeastern Quebec. The drill program consisted of 97 holes totaling 15,108 metres and was designed to pursue three objectives:
•to explore for mineral extensions to the North-East and beyond the defined resource envelope of the GC Zone (18 holes totaling 2,085 metres) - Results previously reported in the press release dated July 29, 2014;
•to explore for mineral continuity within the defined resource envelope of the GC Zone (68 holes totaling 11,323 metres); and
•to conduct exploration drilling on graphite showings on the property located beyond the areas where drilling had previously been conducted (11 holes totaling 1,700 metres).

This press release reports assay results from drilling conducted in the GC zone. The remaining drilling results will be reported in upcoming communications.

Results Confirm Presence of High Grade Areas in the GC Zone

"We are very pleased that these new results confirm the continuity of the mineralization within the GC zone. Furthermore, we continue to obtain high graphite grades, which supports our belief in the exceptional quality of the Lac Guéret property. These latest results will be combined with those from the North-East extension to update our resource estimate, which is expected to lead to the upgrade of the resource categories and to also allow for the optimization of the mining plan during our Feasibility Study." said Benoit Gascon, President and CEO of Mason Graphite.

Drilling was performed in a quincunx pattern, with new holes drilled roughly in the middle of four (4) existing holes, resulting in an average distance of 35 metres between holes. The former drilling followed a grid pattern, with average spacing of 50 x 50 metres.

Intercept highlights from drilling conducted inside the PEA open pit envelope in the GC Zone include:
•Hole LG-403 intersected 76 metres at 27.5 % Cg, including 38 metres at 39.3 % Cg;
•Hole LG-421 intersected 46 metres at 28.7 % Cg, including 27 metres at 40.3 % Cg;
•Hole LG-424 intersected 86 metres at 32.7 % Cg, including 73 metres at 36.1 % Cg; and
•Hole LG-471 intersected 50 metres at 23.9 % Cg near the surface (4 metres), including 21 metres at 37.4 % Cg.

Intercept highlights from drilling conducted outside the PEA open pit envelope in the GC Zone include:
•Hole LG-420 intersected 42 metres at 24.6 % Cg, including 17 metres at 34.7 % Cg near the surface (7 metres);
•Hole LG-439 intersected 58 metres at 20.2 % Cg, including 14 metres at 36.6 % Cg;
•Hole LG-455 intersected 202 metres at 21.6 % Cg, including 3 intersections of 17, 24 and 46 metres at 30.7 % Cg to 33.3 % Cg, respectively;
•Hole LG-458 intersected 91 metres at 25.3 % Cg, including 30 metres at 40.8 % Cg; and
•Hole LG-463 intersected 130 metres at 26.7 % Cg, including 57 metres at 39.0 % Cg.

Table 1 - Most relevant drill results from the GC Zone, inside the PEA Pit Envelope

Follow this link to view table: http://bit.ly/1BSy1m4

Table 2 - Most relevant drill results from the GC Zone, outside the PEA Pit Envelope

Follow this link to view table: http://bit.ly/1uC1PTJ

Appointment of Director of Sustainable Development

Mason Graphite is also pleased to announce that Mrs. Jacqueline Leroux, Eng. has joined its management team as Director of Sustainable Development. Mrs. Leroux has worked for two major mining projects in the province of Quebec (Project BlackRock and Project Éléonore) where she was in charge of sustainable development, various environmental studies and social relations. She successfully conducted the permitting processes for both projects. Her experience is expected to be invaluable to the development of the Lac Guéret project.
 
Primo grosso contratto per Flinders

VANCOUVER, Oct. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Flinders Resources Limited ("Flinders" or the "Company") (TSXV:FDR.V - News) is pleased to provide an update on the marketing of the Woxna flake graphite product. Flinders has signed a Letter of Intent ("LOI") with ThyssenKrupp Metallurgical Products, a daughter company of industrial conglomerate ThyssenKrupp. This LOI is for up to 20,000 – 50,000 tonnes of Woxna flake graphite, in a defined exclusive territory, over the next 10 years with options to increase this as required in the future. The flake graphite specification is in line with Woxna graphite products and will allow the increase of production rates to meet this and future demand.

The strategic 10 year agreement calls for the supply of 2,000 to 5,000 tonnes of Woxna flake graphite concentrate per annum. The products will be fine, medium and large flake graphite concentrate. Due to the confidential nature of the LOI the specifics such as price, transport and product specifications are not disclosed in this news release.

Blair Way, President & CEO states, "I am very pleased to announce this first significant agreement as it is the result of our marketing efforts over the past year and is a major step in growing our business. As a prominent producer in Europe, Flinders is well positioned in the graphite sector, with the ability to fill consumer needs and provide a sustainable European alternative to Chinese supply."
 
già, nota che i crucchi han fatto un nuovo materiale: il germanene. il "cugino" del grafene: nuovo super-materiale delle meraviglie


Bella battuta che sdrammatizza la situazione; comunque nel giro di due o tre anni sentiremo molto parlare del grafene e io sarò li, con le mie azioni della grafite, ad aspettare che me le chiedano, disposti a pagare qualsiasi prezzo.
 
Focus Graphite Confirms Significant Mineralization at Depth Below a Discovery of 88.5 Metres Grading 12.82% Graphitic Carbon at its Lac Tetepisca Project

Metallurgical Results Show an average of 94.7% Total Carbon in Plus 200 Mesh Flake, Including 97.7% Total Carbon for Plus 80 Mesh Flake; Similarities in Carbon Content to Focus' Lac Knife Deposit

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OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct 20, 2014) - Focus Graphite Inc. ("Focus" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:FMS)(FCSMF)(FKC.F) is pleased to announce that significant widths of graphitic mineralization ranging from 95 to 110 meters in thickness* were intersected in a new zone at its wholly owned Lac Tétépisca Project ("the Project") southwest of the Manicouagan reservoir in Québec.

Four fences of holes were spaced 200 metres apart, covering a 600-metre strike length of this new zone in a drill program designed to test surface mineralization found in trenches down to a vertical depth of approximately 100 metres.

The "Manicouagan-Ouest graphitic corridor" was discovered by Focus in 2012 and then exposed and channel sampled in two trenches in the fall of 2013. Assays up to 88.5 m @ 12.82 % graphitic carbon ("Cg") and 84 m @ 11 % Cg were obtained. The 2014 drill hole assay results are pending.

Preliminary metallurgical characterization of a 10kg composite sample achieved a carbon content averaging 94.7% total carbon ("Ct") for all flake above 200 mesh, including 97.7% Ct for plus 80 mesh flake - a quality that is critical to the lithium ion battery market. The concentrate was produced by only a three-stage cleaner flotation test. This suggests that the impurities are loosely attached to the surface and perimeter of the flakes and are not embedded within the graphite mineral layers of individual flakes, similar to what has been shown at Lac Knife. The concentrate grades could be further improved through secondary polishing and cleaning as was shown to be the case with the Lac Knife concentrate.

This summer Abitibi Geophysics of Val-d'Or, Québec, completed a combined magnetic-electromagnetic ground IMAGEM geophysical survey that covered 47 km of grid-lines over the "Manicouagan Ouest graphitic corridor". This time domain IMAGEM geophysical system has a high spatial resolution to allow for a more detailed analysis of the EM conductors within the anomalous zone.

The graphitic corridor is outlined by EM anomalies that are very well explained by the trenching and drilling results, and the drill intercepts correlate very well with EM anomaly boundary. The discovery zone that was drilled has a geophysical signature that extends for more than 200 m to the northeast and over 700 m to the southwest for a total strike length of 1500 metres, and it is also open at depth.

Don Baxter, P.Eng., President and COO of Focus Graphite said: "We are very excited about these drilling results that confirm significant widths of mineralization at depth and the potential that this property may hold. Together with the positive, preliminary metallurgical test results yielding high carbon content of medium and fine flakes, our Lac Tétépisca project is very promising. So far it compares favourably in terms of length, width and grade to our Lac Knife graphite deposit."

"Furthermore," Mr. Baxter said, "We are able to apply our operational and metallurgical experience, and what we have learned from developing the Lac Knife spherical graphite to the Lac Tetepisca project. Early indications are that it may produce a similar high quality product. At Lac Knife we have shown that we can take the less desirable finer sized flake concentrates and transform them into a 98% carbon concentrate that is potentially higher valued. This product is in high demand for lithium ion batteries.

"Tetepisca's fine flake fraction shows similar qualities to what we have experienced at Lac Knife. Further tests are warranted, as this gives Focus a second option to enhance the Company's mid-term growth profile and show a potential for a larger quantity of spherical graphite. However, our near term objective remains Lac Knife's project financing and development," Mr. Baxter said.

* Intersections of graphitic mineralization are expressed as core length, however the drill holes crosscut the envelope of the mineralized zone strike and dip at a high angle.

2013 Trenching Program

In the fall 2013 two trenches (MO-TR-01 and MO-TR-02) that measured 175 and 167 m in length respectively, tested a portion of the Manicouagan-Ouest graphitic corridor. Assays results from these trenches are listed in Table 1 below:


TABLE 1: 2013 TRENCHING PROGRAM RESULTS
Trench Azimuth Total
Length Intercepts From To Intersection
Length Cg
(m) (m) (m) (m)** (%)
MO-TR-01 N 128 175 Intersection 78.0 162.0 84.0 11.01
Including 78.0 127.5 49.5 15.03
Intersection 39.0 45.0 6.0 6.49

MO-TR-02 N 128 167 Intersection 45.0 133.5 88.5 12.82
Including 69.0 78.0 9.0 16.51
Including 94.5 133.5 39.0 18.04


** Intersections are not true thicknesses but expressed as channel sample lengths. However, the trenches crosscut the strike of the mineralized zone envelope at a high angle. Mineralized Intersections are calculated with Cg > 5% over a minimum of 6 m; maximum internal dilution was 3 m; there is no external dilution considered.


Trenches are perpendicular (azimuth N128) to the EM corridor and spaced 225 m apart. A total of 104 representative, channel samples (1.5 m long), from trench MO-TR-01 and 98 samples from trench MO-TR-02 were collected using a rock saw and shipped to IOS Services Géoscientifiques ("IOS") sample preparation facilities in Chicoutimi, Québec.

The prepared samples were sent to ALS Minerals in Vancouver for graphitic carbon (Cg) and total sulphide analysis using LECO induction. One of every three samples was also sent to ALS for a 48 multi-element analysis using ICP methods.

With respect to the QA/QC program, blanks, standards and duplicates were introduced, representing roughly 15% of the analyses. A map showing the location of the trenches and the drill holes is available on the Company's website at Focus Graphite.

Metallurgical and Mineralogical Studies

With an objective to characterize the mineralization, Focus awarded a contract to conduct preliminary metallurgical characterization to SGS Canada Inc., of Lakefield, Ontario. One 10 Kg composite sample underwent a test program to provide an indication of flake size distribution that can be obtained in a graphite concentrate by means of standard mineral processing methods.

The results were very good taking into account a head grade of 20% graphitic carbon as well as an intermediate combined 3rd cleaner concentrate grade of 91.8 % total carbon analysis and the good metallurgical response after only 3 cleaner stages. Further, the carbon recovery into the 3rd Cleaner concentrate was very good at 94.2%, especially when taking into account that these results were obtained in an open circuit cleaner test and not a locked cycle flotation test with internal circulation of the intermediate cleaner flotation tailings.

Also worth noting is that only a coarse primary grind will be required suggested by the "Rougher" tails yielding a size distribution with a P80 of 340 microns and a combined carbon recovery of 98.1% into the flash and rougher concentrate.

The graphite recovery into combined rougher and flash flotation concentrate is expected to be even higher than 98.1%, as the rougher tails would contain the majority of the carbonate and organic carbon material, which are included in the total carbon assay. Hence, a primary grind of 500 microns or even coarser may be possible without encountering excessive graphite losses and possible flake damage.

The very high carbon content grade achieved in this preliminary cleaner flotation test suggests that the impurities are attached to the surface of the flakes and are not embedded within the graphite mineralogical layers. It is expected that the concentrate grades could be further improved through secondary polishing and cleaning. This was shown to be the case with the Lac Knife concentrate.


TABLE 2: Lac Tetepisca Project: Orientation Metallurgical Results
Size by Size Analysis of 3rd Cleaner Concentrate
Weight Weight Assays Distribution C
(g) (%) % C total %
Product Concentrate total***
+48 mesh (+300 microns) 0.5 0.1 0.0
+65 mesh (+212 microns) 11.0 2.6 95.8 2.8
+80 mesh (+180 microns) 15.9 3.8 97.7 4.1
+100 mesh (+150 microns) 26.9 6.5 96.1 6.8
+150 mesh (+106 microns) 74.0 17.8 96.0 18.6
+200 mesh (+75 microns) 78.4 18.9 92.2 18.9
+325 mesh (+45 microns) 105.3 25.3 89.6 24.7
-325 mesh (-45 microns) 103.7 24.9 88.8 24.1
Total Concentrate 415.7 100.0 91.8 100.0


* All carbon analyses were performed by SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS") and are reported as total carbon ("Ct"). The analytical methods that were used to determine the metallurgical results included total carbon analysis by Leco on the final concentrates.


Focus also had IOS Services Géoscientifiques of Chicoutimi, Québec conduct a petrographic mineralogical study of two trench grab samples from the Lac Tétépisca project, with the objective to characterize the general in-situ content of large graphite flakes within the mineralization. It should be noted that the variability between small samples can be considerable in graphite deposits. Visual observations as well these two separate grab samples indicate good large flake content.

The report included microscopic observations of both samples that contain approximately 25% graphite. The study indicated a high proportion of large and very large graphite flakes (+48 mesh or > 200 microns).

The high large flake content observed in the two samples was 80% and 74% respectively. This contrasts the lower large flake content observed in the concentrate produced by the bench scale (10 kg) preliminary metallurgical tests. This further supports the probability that only a coarse primary grind would potentially be required to liberate the large graphite flakes from the mineralized host rocks. More work will be undertaken in this regard.

2014 Exploration Drilling Campaign

Exploration drilling included 1875 m of drilling in 16 drill holes oriented perpendicular to the strike of the kilometric EM conductor defined by a combined MAG-EM airborne geophysical survey conducted in the spring of 2013. The periphery of the zone was more accurately outlined by ground geophysics using a Beep Mat instrument in the summer of 2013 and the MAG-IMAGEM ground survey completed the following summer in 2014.

IOS supervised the drilling campaign that was performed by Forage Rouillier of Amos, Québec. Drill hole collar locations and information are listed in Table 3 below.

A drill hole location map that includes the EM anomalous zone boundary as well as the trench locations is available on the Company's website at Focus Graphite.


TABLE 3: DRILL HOLE COLLAR LOCATIONS AND ORIENTATION
DRILLHOLE X UTM-NAD83 Y UTM NAD83 Azimuth Plunge Length
LT-14-01 494707 5676091 302 -45 126
LT-14-02 494658 5676122 302 -45 126
LT-14-03 494591 5676169 302 -45 126
LT-14-04 494621 5675912 302 -45 144
LT-14-05 494555 5675946 302 -45 126
LT-14-06 494425 5676047 302 -45 60
LT-14-07 494483 5675991 302 -45 126
LT-14-08 494521 5675737 302 -45 153
LT-14-09 494286 5675859 302 -45 60
LT-14-10 494359 5675838 302 -45 126
LT-14-11 494430 5675795 302 -45 119
LT-14-12 494401 5675579 302 -45 144
LT-14-13 494328 5675624 302 -45 114
LT-14-14 494269 5675650 302 -45 114
LT-14-15 494205 5675699 302 -45 60
LT-14-16 494428 5675629 302 -45 150


About the Lac Tétépisca Graphite Project

The Lac Tétépisca project is wholly owned by the Company and is located to the southwest of the Manicouagan reservoir in Québec. Focus acquired 100% of the Project's mineral rights from a third party in 2011.

The project consists of 102 contiguous map-designated claims ("CDC") covering 5,503.08 ha. The Project is located in the southwest Manicouagan reservoir area, 234 km north-northwest of Baie-Comeau, in the Côte-Nord administrative region of Québec.

The Project is accessible year-round by a network of logging roads that connect to Highway 389 that connects Baie-Comeau on the Coast to the Project area.

The Lac Tétépisca project is located in the Grenville geological Province of Québec. The Manicouagan-Ouest graphitic corridor is located within the Nault Formation of meta-sedimentary rocks and is composed of rocks that are fine to medium grained quartz-feldspar-biotite paragneisses and schists with local occurrences of garnet and kyanite.

Fine to coarse graphite flakes and associated sulphides make up 10% to 20% of the rocks, with more than 50% in strongly mineralized zones.

A map of the Lac Tétépisca project showing the location of the Manicouagan-Ouest graphite bearing corridor is available on the Company's website at Focus Graphite.
 
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Oct 21, 2014) - Mason Graphite Inc. ("Mason Graphite" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:LLG)(MGPHF) is pleased to announce that a pilot plant test for the Lac Guéret graphite project has been initiated at COREM's research facility in Quebec City. The operations are under the supervision of engineering firm Soutex, also based in Quebec City.





The pilot program is planned to operate for a six week period, during which COREM will test a bulk sample of approximately 60 tonnes of graphite mineralization obtained from Mason Graphite's Lac Guéret property, located in northeastern Quebec. The average head grade of the bulk sample is 29.1% Cg. The pilot program is designed to test the concentration process developed at the laboratory level by Mason Graphite, COREM and Soutex.

Samples collected during the pilot will serve multiple purposes, including:
•Testing of additional processing technologies;
•Characterization for the upcoming environmental impact assessment;
•Testing to create value added products such as spherical graphite used in lithium-ion batteries (these tests will be part of a complete technical study program for value added graphite products); and
•Testing with key potential customers.

The results of the pilot plant program will also be used for the upcoming feasibility study.

Qualified Person

Jean L'Heureux, Eng., Mason Graphite's Executive Vice-President Process Development and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical content of this press release.
 
Brutte notizie

La nostra vita quotidiana dipende sempre di più da una pletora di batterie che servono ad alimentare smartphone, tablet e mille altri dispositivi. Chi di noi non ha mai sognato di avere batterie che durano in eterno o quasi?

Oggi la soluzione potrebbe essere a portata di mano. Un gruppo di ricercatori della Nanyang Technology University di Singapore ha sviluppato una batteria che raggiunge il 70% di carica in appena due minuti, un tempo che sarebbe l'ideale per la ricarica delle auto elettriche, per esempio.

La vita utile della batteria, agli ioni di litio, è stata stimata in una ventina d'anni. I cicli di carica possibili sarebbero 10.000, ciò significa che una batteria si può ricaricare almeno 10.000 volte prima che la durata si riduca.

Qual è la magia alla base di questa nuova tecnologia? Semplicemente l'impiego nell'anodo, al posto della grafite, di un gel composto da nanotubi di diossido di titanio che velocizzano il flusso di elettroni all'interno e all'esterno della batteria.

I nanotubi, di facile produzione, hanno uno spessore un migliaio di volte più sottile del diametro di un capello umano.

Queste miracolose batterie probabilmente entreranno in produzione su vasta scala entro i prossimi due anni. Pare che una società, il cui nome è ancora misterioso, abbia già comprato la licenza della tecnologia.

volftp.blog.tiscali.it



14 ottobre 2014

avrei però dei quesiti in merito:
1) quanto costa il diossido di titanio ?
2) c'è abbastanza diossido di titanio per tutte le applicazioni delle batterie ?
 
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