Talga Resources (ASX:TLG) has made a breakthrough in single-step graphene recovery method that would allow it to use the unprocessed graphite ore from the Nunasvaara deposit in Sweden and by-pass intermediate stages.
Graphene can be described as a one-atom thick layer of graphite.
Test work done at the University of Adelaide on drill core from Talga's wholly-owned Nunasvaara deposit demonstrated that quality of graphene produced is comparable to graphene produced synthetically and the processing method can be scaled up.
The process breakthrough is significant in that it opens up the potential for co-production of both graphite and graphene, which would be valuable for commercialising the Nunasvaara deposit.
The Nunansvaara project’s JORC resource estimate totals 7.6 million tonnes at 24.4% graphite and is considered to be one of the highest grade graphite resource.
The test work also showed that graphite is liberated as part of the graphene production stream and could lead to potentially cheaper graphite production and that the Nunasvaara deposit may have extraordinary physical properties enabling graphene extraction that are unique to that ore body.
Talga plans to upscale the testwork to measure graphene yield in a potential production scenario; test graphite recovery; and calculate capex and potential production costs to incorporate into current Nunasvaara graphite scoping study and complete with dual graphene/graphite focus.
It will also develop trial batch plant and initiate bulk sampling program that could lead to trial production.
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