Gratomic Inc. (TSX-V:GRAT, OTCQX:CBULF) has updated investors on the progress at its benching program at the flagship Aukam graphite project in Namibia, where first material has recently been moved to the run-of-mine (ROM) pad.
The process sees 'berms' (raised level shelves) cut into the mountain edge to gradually expose underground material and collect graphite in stages while maintaining the stability of the mountain.
"During the past several weeks, road construction was completed to the upper part of the mountain, and actual benching of the mountainside began in earnest," the company said.
"During the process, the team intercepted its first mineralized vein and started moving material to the ROM pad. A representative sample of the material will be sent to the laboratory to confirm grade," it added.
READ: Gratomic unveils latest findings from third trenching program at Capim Grosso project ahead of drilling
Gratomic's CEO Arno Brand added: "I am very pleased to witness the rapid progress being made by our in-house mining team. The first intercept of graphite came weeks ahead of expectation and brings forth a great deal of excitement as we steadily prepare to re-launch mining operations at Aukam for the first time in 46 years.
"Our recent financing secured our ability to complete our benching and initial mining programs."
Armando Farhate, chief operating officer (COO) and head of graphite marketing and sales, added: "It is comforting to see that the expectations of our technical team are being met, increasing our confidence level on the success of this benching program."
In a separate statement on September 20, the firm hailed news it had set a new record at the benching program.
"The Aukam mining team began extracting graphite from a newly discovered graphite vein in the early hours of the morning, unearthing more than 150 tonnes of graphite in one working shift and breaking the all-time record of graphite extracted at Aukam in a single day. The vein was excavated approximately 2.5 meters deep, exposing the over 150 tonnes of graphite hosted below the surface," it said.
Brand told investors: "This momentus achievement by the Gratomic Aukam mining team sets a very positive trend forward to what is expected as the program continues.
"Watching the stockpiles grow gives us an immense sense of achievement that we are moving closer and closer to commercializing our Aukam project."
Gratomic is working towards a feasibility study (FS) on the Aukam processing plant, which will provide conclusions and recommendations at a FS level relating to the scale up of the existing processing plant to a commercial scale processing facility capable of producing the desired concentrate grades and production rates.
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 noted.
Gratomic is focused on becoming a leading global graphite supplier with projects in Namibia, Brazil, and Canada.
----Updates for news of new record set---
Contact the writer at giles@proactiveinvestors.com