Black Rock Mining Achieves 99.6% Purity on Mahenge Graphite Optimisation
THE DRILL SERGEANT: Black Rock Mining (BKT: ASX) announced results of initial metallurgical test work results from a flowsheet optimisation program being undertaken in Canada for the company’s Mahenge graphite project in Tanzania.
Black Rock Mining explained the primary composite ore sample from the project’s Ulanzi prospect achieved a marked increase in overall purity to 99.5 per cent, based upon size fraction assays or 99.6 per cent on the combined final concentrate.
Black Rock highlighted the results demonstrated high purities across the entire size fraction and that the very coarse flake fraction had been increased from previous test work, together with a reduction in very fine flake.
The company said the key outcome from this test was that exceptionally high purities in the 98.5 to 99.5 per cent range were immediately achieved.
Black Rock said this validated the straightforward processing attributes of Mahenge ore and improved flake size distribution.
The company suggested graphite at this high purity level will be sought after for battery and other applications and is expected to attract a price premium.
“The initial pilot plant test results confirm we have an exceptional ore that can be easily beneficiated into a high purity concentrate,” Black Rock Mining executive director and interim CEO John de Vries said in the company’s announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange.
“We were delighted to see we also have super jumbo flakes in our flake size distribution.
“We expected this, given earlier test work ground our flakes to a size where it was impossible to achieve the super jumbo sizing.
“We believe the results confirm we have the best ore of any development stage global graphite project.
“In addition, we now have confirmation of the highest purity and best flake size distribution in the market.
“This is a very positive outcome that will help our ongoing discussions with potential end users.”
Website: www.blackrockmining.com.au