Company targeting higher value markets
posted on
Aug 12, 2014 09:41AM
Recently announced significant increase in estimated resources
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 11, 2014) - Northern Graphite Corporation (TSX VENTURE:NGC)(OTCQX:NGPHF) announces that initial testing, using production scale equipment, has confirmed that large flake graphite from the Bissett Creek deposit has a spherical graphite ("SPG") yield of 50%. The Company expects that the yield will increase with further optimization. SPG is the anode material used in lithium ion batteries ("LiBs") and Industry yields are generally 33% (or less). Losses in the SPG manufacturing process are one of its biggest costs and low yields render a great deal of graphite unsuitable for this use.
Large flake graphite currently sells for approximately US$1,350/tonne whereas the price of uncoated SPG is US$3,500/t and over US$10,000/t coated.
Gregory Bowes, CEO commented that: "Our goal is to create a technology company that is focussed not only on higher value markets but on reducing battery costs, increasing their capacity and meeting the growing needs of the electric vehicle market." He added that: "the unique nature of the Bissett Creek deposit, and the technologies that Northern has developed, provide the Company with significant competitive advantages. In particular:
The latter is particularly important as western companies not only need to economically produce SPG, they need a purification solution. All natural based SPG is currently produced in China and is purified from approximately 94%C to 99.95%C using hydrofluoric and sulphuric acid with little or no treatment of the toxic wastes. This approach is unsavoury and not sustainable as the demand for LiBs grows with the increased adoption of "green" hybrid and all- electric vehicles.
The fastest growing market for graphite other than LiBs is expandable graphite used in thermal management for consumer electronics, fuel cells, gaskets, construction materials etc. This market requires +50 mesh XL flake with a high expansion ratio (which not all has). Graphite deposits generally produce less than 15% XL flake. 50% of Bissett Creek production will be XL flake providing the Company with the optionality of serving both the LiB and expandable graphite markets. XL flake currently sells for over US$2,000/t and highly purified versions over $3,000/t.
Northern Graphite Corporation
Northern Graphite Corporation is a Canadian company that has a 100% interest in the Bissett Creek graphite deposit located in eastern Ontario. The Company expects graphite prices to outperform those of other commodities in an economic recovery because of Chinese supply problems and the continued rapid growth in new uses such as lithium ion batteries. Bissett Creek is the only true large flake deposit. It is also the most advanced new project with a bankable Feasibility Study and its major environmental, and it has the best location/infrastructure, the lowest capital costs and the highest operating margin. Additional information on Northern can be found at www.sedar.com and www.northerngraphite.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as "could", "potential", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "likely", "will" or other similar words or phrases. These statements are only current predictions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Northern Graphite Corporation
Gregory Bowes
CEO
(613) 241-9959(613) 241-9959
Northern Graphite Corporation
Stephen Thompson
CFO
(613) 241-9959(613) 241-9959