Sarytogan Graphite Ltd (ASX:SGA) has achieved ultra-high-purity graphite that far exceeds battery anode material grade from its Sarytogan Graphite Deposit in Central Kazakhstan.
The news caused a spike in trading volume that sent the company’s share price up by as much as 55% this morning to A$0.31.
Thermal purification of graphite from the Sarytogan project has achieved a milestone 99.99% Total Graphitic Carbon (TGC), far exceeding the 99.95% specification for battery anode material.
Exceeds battery specs
While the 99.99% grade achieved far exceeds the typical battery anode specification, it may also be suitable for other high-value ultra-high-purity markets that achieve even higher prices.
The 50-gram graphite sample, previously treated by flotation and alkaline roasting to 99.70% TGC, was sent from Pro-Graphite in Germany to Thermal and Material Engineering Centre (TMEC) in Ukraine for thermal purification.
Sarytogan managing director Sean Gregory said: “We are thrilled with this 99.99% result that shoots the lights out when it comes to graphite purity by far exceeding the 99.95% specification for battery anode material.
“We can now add 'ultra-high-purity' to the superlatives used to describe the giant, exceptionally high-grade, and now ultra-high-purity Sarytogan Graphite Deposit.
"The pre-feasibility study is already underway to optimise the development parameters for this remarkable project.”
Bulk flotation for scale up
A bulk flotation test is underway in Australia, which will provide larger samples to scale up test work at several international laboratories to optimise and simplify the project flowsheet.
The larger samples will also enable spheroidisation test-work and the manufacture of test coin-cell batteries.
PFS underway
Sarytogan confirms that a pre-feasibility study (PFS) is now underway, which will evaluate a range of trade-off studies including the thermal versus chemical purification options for the project flowsheet.