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

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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:
TITOLO PREZZO ISIN

NORTHERN GRAPHITE 0,78 CA66516A1057
MASON GRAPHITE 0,68 CA57520W1005
ZENYATTA VENTURES 3,10 CA98943A1012
FOCUS GRAPHITE 0,55 CA34416E1060
LOMIKO METALS 0,065 CA54163Q1028
ENERGIZER RESOURCES 0.120 US29269X1028
FLINDERS RESOURCES 0,73 CA3394361073

DOLLARI CANADESI
BORSA DI TORONTO

Se vi fate un giro sui siti di queste aziende, scoprirete un mondo davvero interessante e che si prospetta come uno dei più promettenti del prossimo futuro.

La prima azienda ad entrare in produzione sarà la Flinder Resources, che a luglio di quest'anno inizierà l'estrazione nella sua miniera in Svezia.

A parte Energizer Resources che ha la miniera in Madagascar e che dovrebbe iniziare le estrazioni nel giugno 2016, le altre aziende hanno tutte le miniere in Canada.

Ad oggi il mercato della grafite è praticamente monopolizzato dalla Cina, la quale negli anni scorsi, con una politica dei bassi prezzi, ha fatto chiudere tutte le miniere al di fuori del suo territorio. Oggi, però, non può più agire come in passato, perché i costi di produzione sono aumentati e molte miniere si sono esaurite; si aprono quindi nuovi spazi per nuove miniere al di fuori della Cina.

Il settore che più di tutti richiederà grandi quantità di grafite sarà quello delle auto elettriche; infatti, le batterie agli ioni di litio, richiedono molti chilogrammi di grafite. Negli USA è in previsione di essere costruita una mega fabbrica di auto elettriche, che richiederà da sola circa 100.000 tonnellate di grafite.

C'è poi il fattore grafene; questo nuovo materiale, derivato dalla grafite, sembra possa avere un utilizzo per molteplici applicazioni, anche se allo stato attuale siamo ancora in fase di ricerca e sperimentazione e sono poche le applicazioni pratiche già operative. Una delle prime fabbriche di grafene si trova in Italia, a Lomazzo in provincia di Como e si chiama Directa Plus.
Visitate il loro sito, ne vale la pena.

Insomma le prospettive sono più che buone, vedremo se poi i fatti saranno altrettanto buoni.
 
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Soldi freschi in arrivo

Mason Graphite Inc. ("Mason Graphite" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:LLG)(OTCQX:MGPHF) is pleased to announce that it has closed the previously announced bought deal private placement offering announced on April 3, 2014. The Company issued, on a bought deal basis, a total of 17,692,319 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.65 per Unit, which includes the exercise of the underwriters option (the "Underwriter's Option") in full for aggregate gross proceeds of $11,500,007 (the "Offering"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one common share at a price of $0.85 for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Offering. As part of the Offering, Ressources Québec, a subsidiary of Investissement Québec subscribed for 4,615,385 Units for gross proceeds of $3,000,000. Upon closing of the Offering, Ressources Québec will have a right of first refusal to participate in any future securities offerings by Mason Graphite. The Offering was completed by a syndicate of underwriters led by Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd. and including National Bank Financial Inc. and Dundee Securities Limited (together the "Underwriters"). The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund the continued development of the Lac Guéret project and for general corporate purposes. Moreover, the Company is pleased to announce an agreement in principle for additional financing through convertible debentures for an aggregate gross proceed of $4,150,000 with three renowned Québec-based institutions: Sodémex ($3,000,000), a subsidiary of the Caisse de dépot et placement du Québec, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ ($950,000) and the Fonds regional de solidarité FTQ Côte-Nord ($200,000). The conditions, to be confirmed at closing, would include, among others, maturity after 5 years, interest of 12% per annum, payable semi-annually, and a conversion rate into common shares of $0.845 per share. The Company can trigger the conversion and anticipate the redemption under certain conditions. The transaction would also include an aggregate of 2,075,000 warrants, each granting the purchase of a common share at a price of $0.91 for a period of 24 months following the closing of the transaction. The closing of this transaction, still subject to certain conditions, to the finalization of definitive agreements binding the parties and receipt of all applicable regulatory and other approvals, is expected within 30 days following this announcement. In connection with the Offering, the Underwriters received a cash commission equal to 6.0% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering and non-transferable broker warrants equal to 6.0% of the number of Units sold (inclusive of the Underwriters' Option). Each broker warrant will be exercisable into one Unit of the Company for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering at a price of $0.65 per Unit. All securities issued at the closing of the Offering are subject to a hold period under applicable Canadian securities legislation and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, which expires on August 29, 2014. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) absent such registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. About Mason Graphite Mason Graphite is a Canadian mining company focused on the exploration and development of its 100% owned Lac Guéret graphite property, located in northeastern Québec. The property hosts a National Instrument 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource featuring 50,024,000 tonnes grading 15.6% Cg, including 6,672,000 tonnes grading 32.4% Cg, in the Measured and Indicated categories and 11,861,000 tonnes grading 17.1% Cg, including 2,637,000 tonnes grading 30.5% Cg, in the Inferred category (see press release dated December 5, 2013). Excellent potential exists for further mineral growth. A Preliminary Economic Assessment study was completed on a 7.6Mt mineral resource estimate from July 2012 which features 22 years of production at 27.4% Cg and a pre-tax internal rate of return of 33.7% (see technical report entitled "Technical Report on the Mineral Resources Estimation Update 2013, Lac Guéret Graphite Project, Quebec, Canada" issued on January 17, 2014). The Company's senior management team possesses significant graphite expertise from their experience at Timcal/Imerys, including Benoît Gascon, CPA, CA, who held executive positions for 20 years, including over 6 years as President and CEO; Jean L'Heureux, Eng., Executive Vice-President, Process Development, with over 20 years of experience; and Luc Veilleux , CPA, CA, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice-President, with 8 years of experience. Timcal, now owned by Imerys, is one of the largest graphite producers in the world - See more at: Mason Graphite - Mason Graphite Closes $11.5 Million Bought Deal Private Placement Offering and Announces Additional Financing for $4.15M
 
Commercial Sales & Revenues
50,000 tonnes of saleable graphite annually; $76.2 million in annual revenues

The Lac Guéret mine will produce an average of 50,000 tonnes of saleable graphite annually. At an average sale price of $1,525 per tonne, this represents $76.2 million in annual revenue.

The sale price assumptions used in the PEA were based on the 24-month average graphite prices published by Industrial Minerals magazine (‘’IM’’). Applying Mason’s product distribution to IM’s 24-month averages, the average selling price would become $1,974/tonne. In comparison to the industry’s market prices, the graphite prices used in the PEA are deemed by the Company to be conservative.

“The conservative price assumptions used in the PEA could represent a potential opportunity for improved economics. Integrating the 24-month average IM price of $1,974/tonne in the financial model could yield a potential improvement with a pre-tax NPV (8% discount) of $558M and an IRR of 44.7%.” - Luc Veilleux, Executive Vice-President and CFO of Mason Graphite

The commercial scenario used in the PEA considers realistic assumptions that are based on Mason Graphite’s established relationships with existing markets. Graphite is not an openly traded mineral, therefore prices are negotiated between end-users and producers in annual or multi-year contracts. The Company will continue to build close and continuous relationships with its potential customers in order to tailor the finished product to meet their exact needs. The Lac Guéret project does not rely on yet-to-come technologies and demands; however, it will be well positioned to work with new applications, technologies, markets and customers.
- See more at: Mason Graphite - Project - Lac Guéret Graphite Project




Financial Highlights Initial direct capital costs of $89.9M Production costs of $390 per tonne of finished product $364M pre-tax NPV (8% discount); $283M pre-tax NPV (10% discount) 33.7% pre-tax Internal Rate of Return Payback period of 2.5 years 22-year mine life Average sales price of $1,525 per tonne - See more at: Mason Graphite - Project - Lac Guéret Graphite Project


Prezzo di produzione a 390 $ e prezzo di vendita a 1.525 $; direi un ottimo guadagno, anche togliendo le spese di trasporto e considerando che il prezzo della grafite è destinato a salire.
 
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FONTE FOCUS GRAPHITE

For example, the costs of purifying a 95 per cent grade graphite to a minimum battery grade of 99.95 per cent is approximately $3,000 to $5,000 per tonne. The cost of purifying Lac Knife’s 98.3 per cent grade to battery grade quality is estimated to be between $500 and $1,000 per tonne.
 
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 29, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When silicon became the medium of choice for semiconductors in the 60's, the previous material, germanium, was left behind to the point where few today have ever heard of it. With the rise of graphene, silicon may eventually experience the same fate, relegated to a curiosity at some semiconductor museum.

Graphene was discovered in 2004. By 2014, there have been 10,000 patents filed. The magic of this form of pure carbon that can be derived from ultra-pure graphite is that it is 200 times stronger than steel, transparent, more conductive than silicon and flexible. One ounce of graphene could cover 28 football fields.

Usually, only the biggest companies have the R&D clout to participate in new developments. However, one small public company, Lomiko Metals (LMR.V) (LMRMF), has been able to leap ahead working with leading scientists at Graphene Labs of Long Island New York.

One example espoused by the American Chemical Society posited that advancements in graphene could eventually make cellphones as thin as a piece of paper and flexible enough to fold up and put it in a pocket. Further, this wundermineral could potentially be the key constituent in the current and future generations of flexible displays and virtually all manner of electronic device.

Some very big names are pouring money and R&D into graphene development. Samsung Electronics recently announced a breakthrough in the advance toward graphene commercialization by; "synthesizing large-area graphene into a single crystal on a semiconductor, while maintaining its electric and mechanical properties. By developing a method for growing a single crystal graphene into a large area, the researchers claim they could displace the tech industry's reliance on silicon."

Along with Samsung, the European Nanomaster project, led by NetComposites in the UK, has 12 partners worldwide, including Timcal owned by Imerys, a Canadian name that graphite investors will know well. The global initiative has developed new grades of expanded graphite, which have been used to produce high-quality graphene.

TIMCAL Graphite & Carbon produces and markets a large variety of synthetic and natural graphite powders, conductive carbon blacks and water-based dispersions of consistent high quality.

Lomiko is the only company in this sector poised for exponential growth. The others are billion dollar companies. The Company is also developing a vertical business alignment from graphite to graphene, which includes a patent on the manufacturing process involving 3D printing with graphene. Using this new technology together with a new material, it will be able to print electronic devices -- a process known as Additive Manufacturing. Further, the patent Lomiko participated in was filed before the bigger companies announced their involvement.

"Only certain types of graphite are appropriate for use in electronics. Our Quatre Milles discovery is near surface, high grade, and high carbon content crystalline flake graphite. We believe Lomiko is at the forefront of graphene development," stated A. Paul Gill, CEO of Lomiko Metals in an exclusive interview with Financial Press. "As well, our strategic alliance with Graphene Labs has produced Graphene 3D Lab which has filed a provisional patent application for the use of graphene-enhanced material, along with other materials, in the fast growing market of 3D Printing, also known as Additive Manufacturing within the industry."

Lomiko recently announced the Company's listing on the OTCQX market. And this on the heels of a successful $5.5 million financing concluded mid-March, 2014. This event gives Lomiko significant working capital and funds for exploration and business development.

Lomiko has virtually all its bases covered. Since development of graphene needs high purity, large flake graphite, it has the security of supply necessary to advance testing and eventual production with a particular focus on 3D printing.

Gill states: "3D printing a whistle or chess piece is already child's play. Lomiko looks to the day when the Company can print a fully functioning cell phone, watch or stereo system."

Adding graphene to polymers, which are conventionally used in 3D printing, enhances the properties of the polymer in many different ways; it improves the 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.

Credit Suisse forecasts that global 3D printing market revenues will reach almost $12 billion by 2020; they came in just over $2 billion in 2012. That represents annual growth of 20-30%. The retail consumer/small business market shows the largest growth potential with 100%+ year over year growth in 2013.

While the applications in 3D printing are impressive, there are several multi-billion dollar industries that will benefit from this alliance including the medical appliance market, biotech and super capacitors. RFID, smart packaging, ITO replacement, sensors, logic and memory are also areas where graphene will likely see exceptional growth.

With a solid partnership for graphene development, a successful financing and US listing, Lomiko has moved to the next level and represents, not only a compelling graphite play, but with its commitment to graphene development and expanding applications, it has become a hi-tech play as well.

Lomiko shares trade at $0.07 with a market cap of $9 million.
 
Ho letto sul sito di Zenyatta Ventures che loro hanno scoperto una miniera di grafite unica al mondo (ne esiste solo una in Sry Lanca) dalla quale si può estrarre grafite che si può trasformare a poco costo in una forma di purezza del 99,99 %; attualmente una tale purezza è ottenuta solo con costosi procedimenti da oltre 6.000 $ la tonnellata e la grafite così ottenuta è venduta a prezzi che vanno dai 7.000 ai 20.000 $ la tonnellata (fate conto che la grafite normale viene venduta a circa 1.800 $ la tonnellata).
Nel sito non dicono che quantità di grafite è presente nella miniera e quanta grafite estrarranno ogni anno. Dicono invece di essere stati avvicinati da diverse imprese del settore e non escludono che possano collaborare con una di esse per sviluppare la miniera.
Ad oggi Zenyatta capitalizza 183.000.000 di $ canadesi.
Che sia una gallina dalle uova d'oro ?
Se volete fatevi un giro sul loro sito e troverete cose davvero interessanti.
 
Ma è per quello che i pastelli di marca sono molto costosi...??? ;)
 
Ho scritto a Zenyatta Ventures per chiedere quando inizieranno l'attività di estrazione e quale quantità di grafite fanno conto di produrre e mi hanno risposto dicendo che loro non sono una miniera ma "a junior exploration company".
Sono rimasto senza parole
 
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Apr 30, 2014) - Mason Graphite Inc. ("Mason Graphite" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:LLG)(MGPHF) has completed the second tranche of its investment in Group NanoXplore Inc. ("NanoXplore") by investing $350,000 for an additional 20% interest in NanoXplore.





As announced on January 13, 2014, Mason Graphite and NanoXplore entered into an agreement whereby Mason Graphite has acquired 40% of the issued and outstanding shares of NanoXplore for $700,000 in two tranches. The closing of the first tranche, an investment of $350,000 for a 20% interest, was announced on February 18, 2014.

NanoXplore is a privately held research and development company focused on developing low cost, large-scale production of graphene from natural flake graphite, and integrating it into several industries, including energy and textiles. Graphene can be produced using a variety of processes, including Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and liquid exfoliation, however many of these processes are not scalable and are associated with higher processing costs. NanoXplore's proprietary technique is a low cost, low energy, safe and scalable electrochemical conversion method which turns natural flake graphite into graphene. For more information about NanoXplore, visit Group NanoXplore Inc..

As part of the agreement, Mason Graphite was appointed NanoXplore's sales, marketing and distribution agent. Furthermore, Benoit Gascon, President and CEO of Mason Graphite, was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of NanoXplore, and Luc Veilleux, Mason Graphite's Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, was appointed as a Director and Chief Financial Officer of NanoXplore
 
NanoXplore at a Glance

NanoXplore is a Montreal-based company specializing in the unique science of graphene and its derivative materials, and is very well placed to address three key challenges facing the graphene industry today:

> NanoXplore’s unique production process provides a clear path to high-volume, low-cost production (tonnes of material monthly at dollars per gram);

> NanoXplore’s production techniques are environmentally friendly and compatible with a wide range of manufacturing processes and government regulations; and

> NanoXplore technology allows for unparalleled integration with a broad range of industrial materials, in two ways:

1. The production process creates edge functionalized graphene in situ, without additional process steps or complexity; and

2. In addition to graphene material, NanoXplore offers customers a wide range of graphene composites (metals, metal oxides, polymers) at very attractive price points.


Who we are

NanoXplore brings together a team of seasoned business leaders and material scientists specializing in the science of graphene and its derivative materials. Our team has the industrial experience to enable customers to incorporate graphene materials into their products across a wide array of industries; this integration capability sets us apart from other graphene producers.

NanoXplore Team

Products and Markets

NanoXplore produces:

- graphene and related derivative materials directly from high quality flake graphite; and

- a wide range of graphene composites (metals, alloys, metal oxides, polymers).

NanoXplore’s initial focus is on applications where graphene provides significant added value and bulk quantities of high quality graphene provide a competitive advantage. Near term opportunities are in industries such as paints and lubricants, textiles, and energy.

L'azionista di maggioranza è la Mason Graphite.
 
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Energizer resources

We are targeting mid-2016. Once we secure off takes, and project financing, the actual construction time for the mine is 9-12 months.
 
Primo contratto di vendita di grafite

Flinders Announces First Sales Contract Secured-Woxna Graphite Mine, Sweden

V.FDR | 57 minutes ago

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 6, 2014) - Flinders Resources Limited ("Flinders" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:FDR) provides an update on the Company's European sales and marketing programs, as graphite production is set to recommence in July 2014 from the 100% owned Woxna graphite mine and processing facility in central Sweden.

Key Points:
•Flinders has been working to re-establish its sales and distribution network throughout Europe;
•An initial sales contract has been signed with a former European customer;
•The Woxna Graphite project is strategically located in central Sweden, a gateway to the European Union graphite market;
•Sales efforts are continuing and the Company anticipates that more contracts will be concluded as graphite production is set to recommence in July 2014.

Blair Way, President & CEO states, "Securing our first sales contract is great news and a vote of confidence from our former customers. Our marketing endeavors are starting to have an impact in line with our restart of production. This is an exciting time for the company as we become the first TSX Venture Exchange listed company to produce and sell graphite product."

In addition to the previously announced processing plant refurbishment activities, Flinders has been working to re-establish its sales and distribution network throughout Europe. As for all industrial mineral products, customers are seeking stable and reliable producers that can consistently meet quality standards and delivery schedules. The Company has been meeting with former and potential new customers as part of its efforts to re-establish its sales base. As part of these marketing efforts, the Company is pleased to report that the initial sales contract has been signed with one of its former European customers. The initial sales contract does not represent a material portion of the Company's production capacities; however, the conclusion of this agreement is an important milestone for the Company's marketing team. Fulltime sales and marketing efforts are continuing throughout Europe and the Company anticipates that more sales contracts will be concluded over the coming months.

The Woxna Graphite project is strategically located in central Sweden, a gateway to the European Union graphite market. The facility is located approximately 3.5 hours' drive north of Stockholm and less than 2 days drive to most customers in Europe. Proximity to markets is a key differentiator in marketing industrial minerals. Woxna's central location provides a significant marketing advantage due to shorter distances and lower transportation costs. In addition, the Woxna processing facility has the ability to respond quickly to customers' specific needs within very short timeframes.

On behalf of the Board,

Blair Way, President and CEO
 
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 6, 2014) - Energizer Resources Inc. (EGZ.TO) (ENZR) (YE5.F) ("Energizer" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a summary of the milestones achieved over the past 18 months and the current status on its flagship Molo Graphite Project in Madagascar.





Feasibility Study in Progress

After completing a private placement on January 15th of this year, Energizer launched a Feasibility Study (FS) through its EPCM contractor, DRA, which is Africa's leading mine engineering and construction company. As part of this study the following work has been completed:
Discussions with Madagascar-based contractors regarding fuel, logistics, equipment, civil engineering and earthworks.
29 infill diamond drill holes and 16 trenches to elevate a portion of Molo Graphite Project's Canadian National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 compliant indicated resource to measured status.
3-D variability test work drilling with 4 diamond drill holes.
9 geotechnical holes for quantification of rock mechanics.
Detailed topographic surveying for pit shell modeling, civil works and hydrogeological analysis.
Topsoil thickness survey over deposit (deposit found to be covered by a thin veneer of soil averaging a thickness of 0.8 metres).
Hydrogeological test work over the deposit, including a resistivity survey and water sample analysis.

Richard Schler, Energizer's Chief Executive Officer stated, "We look forward to building on the substantial progress we have achieved over the past months in advancing our Molo Graphite Project, which included the completion of an operational pilot plant run as part of our Molo Feasibility Study. I believe this will be an exciting year for Energizer as we work towards achieving the important milestones of securing both mine financing and off-take agreements. Although we have been very active over the past few months pursuing these initiatives, they are tasks that do not easily lend themselves to providing regular news flow. With the recent positive developments in the global flake graphite market centering around lithium-ion batteries for electrical vehicles and large scale energy storage, I believe that conditions are ideal to support the rapid advancement of the Molo Graphite Project".

Feasibility Study Progress Builds Upon Milestone Accomplishments
In November 2012, Energizer announced its NI 43-101 resources estimate with 9,246m of drilling, establishing the Molo as one of the largest known, all-flake graphite deposits in the world; 84.0Mt Indicated @ 6.36% carbon (C).
40.3Mt Inferred @ 6.29%C.

On February 26, 2013, Energizer announced the positive results of a PEA study, indicating robust economics: $421 Million USD Pre-tax NPV discounted @ 10%; 48% Internal rate of return (IRR); 3-year payback; $162 Million USD Capital cost.
On October 21, 2013, Energizer announced the signing of a Letter of Intent with Caterpillar Mining Finance regarding project financing loan arrangements for the Molo mine.
On November 6, 2013, Energizer announced the results of GDMS analysis testing by SGS Canada Inc, the highest level of analytical testing possible, and confirmed that the Molo graphite concentrate can achieve an ultra-high purity of greater than 99.9%. The hydrometallurgical purification test used conventional leach technology.
On November 20, 2013, Energizer announced the appointment of Robin Borley, B.Tech, Mining Engineering as a Board Director and Senior Vice President of Mine Development. Mr. Borley served previously as Mining Director for DRA.
On January 15, 2014, Energizer announced that it had closed a private placement of 61,204,067 common share units at a price of $0.12 for gross proceeds of C$7,344,488
On January 31, 2014, Energizer announced the robust results from the completion of a large scale pilot plant operation. Over 13 tonnes of Molo graphite concentrate was produced and results confirmed that a significant portion (43.5%) of the flake size distribution is classified as "large" and "jumbo-flake", 78.3% of Molo flake meets the minimum required size to produce battery-grade graphite and up to 97.7% purity can be achieved. through simple flotation alone. These pilot plant results were superior to those released in the Company's positive PEA study.
On April 16, 2014, Energizer announced it finalized the purchase of the remaining 25% interest in the Molo Graphite Project from joint venture partner Malagasy Minerals Limited. This now gives the Company 100% ownership of the Molo Graphite Project area and a 100% interest to all of the industrial mineral rights within the acquired property, which totals 940 square kilometres (363 square miles).

Targeted Milestones

Energizer is targeting the following key milestones:
Upgrading the Molo resource from Indicated to Measured status by Q3 2014;
Completion of full feasibility study by Q4 2014;
Completion of partnership and financing agreements, which are currently ongoing.
Application for mining permit in Q4 2014 upon completion of the FS;
Estimated construction schedule of 12-16 months following the securing of mine permitting and financing. Project commissioning is targeted to begin in Q2/Q3 of 2016.

Qualified Person

Craig Scherba, P.Geo., President and COO is the qualified person for the technical information provided in this release.
 
Tutte in calo le aziende della grafite; è il giorno giusto per comprare.
 
Northern Graphite

So the grade is lower, but the final product is much more valuable. In fact, Northern's flake is so large, there aren't really existing prices for it. It's assumed they'd be somewhere near $3,000/tonne.
Using the conservative 80% figure, the company is looking at a 1.35 million tonnes of large flake, high carbon graphite. (1.69 million tonnes x .80).
Multiply that by a conservative $2,500/tonne (prices are only expected to rise), and you get a $3.37 billion resource. There will be costs for sure, including permitting, building the mine, extraction, consulting, etc.
But when an $0.80 company with a $40 million market cap is sitting on a $3.37 billion resource, I think the stock implications are clear.
 
Mi domando sempre come mai le grosse imprese minerarie non entrino nel business della grafite. Mi sembra strano che lascino in mano a delle start up un mercato così interessante e promettente. A meno che entreranno in azione quando i progetti saranno più avanzati e le miniere cominceranno a sfornare grafite
 
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 7, 2014) - Northern Graphite Corporation (TSX VENTURE:NGC)(NGPHF) announces that the Company intends to update the Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "PEA") for its 100% owned Bissett Creek graphite project to double the planned production rate at the outset rather than after three years of operation as originally contemplated. The current PEA is based on twinning the mill circuits and was undertaken to show the project's ability to meet future growth in graphite demand. However, building one large plant is much more efficient and should lead to lower capital and operating costs. The Company has also been encouraged to assess the economics of the larger plant by recent developments in the lithium ion battery industry and by strong interest in the high purity concentrates that will be produced using Northern's proprietary purification technology.





The PEA already 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 is 26.3% (22.0% after tax) and the pre-tax net present value is $231.1 million ($150.0 million after tax) using an 8% discount rate and a weighted average price of US$1,800/tonne of concentrate.

Gregory Bowes, CEO, commented that: "Bissett Creek is the only true large flake deposit and the only one with a bankable Feasibility Study (the "FS") and its major environmental permit. It also has the best infrastructure of any new graphite project, the lowest capital costs and the highest operating margin."

Capital costs in the current PEA have been estimated at $146.8 million to produce an average of 42,700 tonnes of graphite annually over the first 10 full years of operation compared to capital costs of $101.6 million and annual production of 20,800 tonnes in the FS. Almost 90% of graphite production will be large and extra large flake and battery grade which is 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 expansions are possible. P&E Mining Consultants Inc. have been engaged to complete a new mine plan for the PEA update and WorleyParsons Canada will estimate the capital and operating costs of the larger mill.

Expandable Graphite

Expandable graphite is used for thermal management in consumer electronics as well as in gaskets and fluid sealing solutions, fuel cells, redox flow batteries, and fire retardants and other construction materials. It is one of the fastest growing market segments along with li ion batteries. Expandable graphite is made from extra large flake (+50 mesh) graphite which will make up almost 50% of Bissett Creek production, by far the highest in the industry. The Company has developed a proprietary purification process which will enable it to produce and sell high purity expandable graphite at a significant premium. Representative samples have been provided to a number of potential customers and substantial interest has been generated.

Graphite Markets and Pricing

After more than tripling from 2005 to 2012, graphite prices have fallen back 50% or more due to the 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 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 as almost 90% of production will be large or extra large flake. Current pricing is approximately $2,100/t for +50 mesh concentrates, $1,300/t for +80 large mesh, $1,100/t and $900/t for -100 and -150 medium and small flake respectively, and less than $500/t for -150 mesh fines.
 
Penso che sarà dura per le auto elettriche sfondare nel mercato; troppi interessi ruotano attorno al petrolio, primo fra tutti quello dei governi che traggono dalle accise un sacco di soldi. Vedremo cosa succederà, per il momento dobbiamo subire gli alti e bassi delle quotazioni, che un giorno ti illudono con un rialzo e poi subito ti fregano con un ribasso.
 
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