Australian mining company Volt Resources (ASX:VRC) recently announced that an independent German metallurgical laboratory has confirmed the high quality of the Namangale graphite concentrate.
The tests also show that the concentrate is highly suitable for producing commercial grade expandable graphite for flame retardant foam and graphite foil, which are two key growth markets for graphite distribution.
The report indicates: “expansion tests of expandable graphite made of flake graphite concentrate from Namangale were very successful compared with product from other origins.”
Volt notes that the German group that completed the testwork is a global specialist in graphite testing and analysis.
“This is highly encouraging news flow for Volt, as proposed regulatory changes in China and Europe for the mandatory use of non-toxic substances in flame retardant building materials could result in substantial future demand for expandable graphite,” the company indicates.
“Having independent test work confirm the suitability of Volt’s graphite product in the flame retardant building materials market is a key differentiating feature from rivals,” Volt adds.
Trevor Matthews, CEO of Volt, commented: “With recent initial tests in the U.S. confirming the high quality of Volt’s concentrate to be used in lithium-ion batteries, it is very encouraging to have independent confirmation that Namangale graphite concentrate is highly suitable for expandable graphite too. The sales and marketing team will be targeting prospective end-user customers globally across a range graphite end-user markets. At this point in Volt’s development, it is a significant differentiating feature and competitive edge to be able to deliver concentrate that can make high quality spherical and expandable graphite for various downstream applications.”
Namangale Graphite Project
The Namangale graphite project in south-east Tanzania is wholly owned by Volt Resources.
In Q2 2016, the company signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for graphite off-take with some of the largest companies in the lithium-ion battery market: Chinese Optimum Nano, Huzhou Chuangya and Shenzhen Sinuo.
The MoUs cover an annual production of 100,000t of graphite, of which 60,000t with Optimum Nano, 20,000t with Huzhou Chuangya and the remaining 20,000t with Shenzhen Sinuo.
Tanzania’s largest graphite deposits are located in the central and east southern regions of the country.
Graphite discoveries in Tanzania come mainly from Australia based graphite developers, Magnis Resources (ASX:MNS), Volt Resources (ASX:VRC) and Kibaran Resources (ASX:KNL).