Gratomic Inc. (TSX-V:GRAT, OTCQX:CBULF) has announced the production of the first batch of processed graphite from its Aukam plan in Namibia - the site’s first product since 1974 - as part of the wet commissioning process and operational readiness that the facility is currently undergoing.
The company’s first Product in Bag (PIB) milestone was achieved by generating one metric ton of material that was produced and transferred to inventory.
“This material will be sent to SGS Lakefield for product development in the fulfillment of the company's obligation to modify the product to suit the needs of the end users,” the company said.
The product line-up will include SG16, which is targeted for anode material development and spheronization; M97, which is highly refined but not spheronized; and C99 and +895, which are less targeted for specific applications, Gratomic said.
READ: Gratomic appoints strategic operations veteran Fernando Luís Pereira Calha as its director of graphite sales and business development
The company noted that the grade to be produced will be suitable for applications in the markets of refractories, powder metallurgy, lubricants and friction elements, and with additional micronizing and spheronizing, the material can be used as an anode material in li-ion batteries.
“As the plant moves towards the end of operational readiness, more types of products of different specifications will be generated, including higher value-added applications such as battery anode, until the plant becomes fully operational,” Gratomic said, adding that samples will be sent to independent laboratories to confirm the product grade obtained.
The finished product was produced from historical stockpiles at the site, and Gratomic will continue to optimize the processing plant through the operational readiness stage and into the full production phase.
Gratomic listed several risk factors associated with production at the Aukam property, in particular it said no feasibility studies have been done so far to support any level of production and neither have the mineral resources been delineated to demonstrate economic viability
However, the company is working towards completing a feasibility study prior to scaling up the existing plant to a commercial-scale processing facility capable of producing the desired concentrate grades and production rates.
“Gratomic wishes to emphasize that the supply of graphite is conditional on Gratomic being able to bring the Aukam project into a production phase, and for any graphite being produced to meet certain technical and mineralization requirements,” it added.
Gratomic is focused on becoming a leading global graphite supplier and aims to secure a strong position in the electric vehicle battery supply chain. It has projects in Namibia, Brazil, and Canada.
Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com