Black Rock Mining (ASX:BKT) has delivered industry-leading results from battery test works using graphite concentrate from its Mahenge Graphite Project located in Tanzania.
Test results confirm Mahenge’s graphite has the potential to enable battery manufacturers to produce more stable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) at a lower cost with a longer cycle life.
Over a 130-cycle charge/discharge program, Black Rock’s test cells demonstrated consistently higher charge capacity and flatter performance curves than a leading coated spherical graphite used as a comparison.
Furthermore, there is potential for Mahenge graphite to displace synthetic graphite in LIBs if performance and cost advantages can be demonstrated.
The industry leading battery test results are expected to drive ongoing discussions with potential partners.
Pilot scale ore test work is underway in Canada to provide bulk quantities of high grade concentrates for vendor evaluation.
News in the short term is also expected regarding the recently completed spheronising test program for 99% TGC concentrates, which produced excellent results.
John de Vries, interim CEO, commented: “The 130-cycle results continue to demonstrate the industry leading product attributes of Black Rock´s Mahenge Graphite Project.
“The results show that our graphite could deliver battery manufacturers with more stable lithium-ion batteries at a lower cost as well as a superior cycle life.
“Superior cell performance is critical to enabling our ongoing discussions with potential partners.
“Next steps are to provide bulk quantities of Mahenge graphite concentrates for end-user evaluation together with detailed spherical test work results from our recently completed program in Europe.”