Black Rock Mining Ltd (ASX:BKT) has been holding meetings with potential European and Asian offtake partners for its battery grade flake graphite at the Mahenge project in Tanzania.
It’s global marketing activities are directed at securing long term offtake supply agreements from Mahenge.
The level of interest in Mahenge’s graphite concentrate has been encouraging with new enquiries registered following the recent metallurgical results.
The company recently presented at the Benchmark Minerals World Tour in London and Germany and visited major graphite customers in Japan and Korea.
Steven Tambanis, managing director, commented: “We will continue to follow our strategy to supply the value-added spherical and expandable graphite markets while pursuing in parallel other markets to facilitate project development.”
Mahenge metallurgical results
Black Rock has been able to achieve 99% purity metallurgical test results as part of the ongoing process optimisation program at the Mahenge graphite project.
Results come from samples taken from Ulanzi and Epanko North within the Mahenge graphite project, which build on the 99.1% purity achieved from the previous Ulanzi bulk sample.
The key outcome from this test is that 99% purities can be achieved from both oxide and fresh portions of Ulanzi and Epanko North.
Black Rock has achieved these high purity results using a conventional flotation circuit, allowing for potential demand for a product used to manufacture spherical graphite without the cost and environmental impact of chemical purification.
These results have spurred new enquiries and Black Rock expect to advance these discussions over the coming months.
Europe marketing
Steve Tambanis presented at the first two cities of the Benchmark Minerals World Tour which focuses on the lithium-ion battery supply chain.
Both London and Dresden locations were attended by representatives from financial institutions and manufacturers engaged in the development of energy storage technology.
Japan and Korea marketing
In late June the Black Rock marketing team visited major graphite customers in Japan and Korea – major global manufacturers of lithium-ion battery cells.
The company was given the opportunity to present the Mahenge Project to primary decision makers in the lithium-ion battery supply chain in these key production centres.
The meetings held in Japan and Korea have given Black Rock a clear understanding with regards to particular customer requirements and specifications for graphite products.
Broker spotlight
Recently, Perth broker Patersons initiated coverage with a valuation of $0.12 per share and Speculative Buy rating.
The share price is up 140% over the past 3 months.
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