Leading Edge Materials Advances Expandable Graphite Research Using Graphite from Woxna Mine, Sweden
Leading Edge Materials Advances Expandable
Graphite Research Using Graphite from
Woxna Mine, Sweden
VANCOUVER
,
July 9, 2019
/CNW/ -
Leading Edge Materials Corp.
("
Leading Edge Materials
" or
the
"Company
") (
TSXV: LEM
) (
OTCQB: LEMIF
) (
Nasdaq First North: LEMSE
) is pleased to
announce the commencement of research with a leading European consultant, ProGraphite GmbH
("
ProGraphite
"), to produce expandable graphite using materials from the Woxna graphite mine in
Sweden
.
Leading Edge Materials has previously produced expandable and expanded graphite products using
Woxna graphite as a feed stock. Expandable graphite is a potential value-add product for larger
flake natural graphite from Woxna that will not go to the lithium ion battery anode markets. Demand
for expandable graphite for fire resistant building products and textiles are both substantial and fast
growing, while emerging markets exist as a precursor for graphene manufacturing.
Expandable graphite exploits some of the remarkable anisotropic properties of natural flake
graphite. Expandable graphite is manufactured by treating crystalline graphite with mild non-toxic
chemicals that position between individual graphite flakes. When exposed to heat, the chemical
converts from a solid or liquid to a gas phase causing a dramatic accordion-like expansion of the
graphite which becomes 200 to 400 times its previous volume.
When used as a fire retardant in building materials, the expandable graphite is incorporated to form
a surface barrier layer in the event of a fire. Globally, governments are moving to limit the use of
flammable building materials. Flame retardant building materials, incorporating expandable graphite,
is a large volume and high growth market, with the China Building Materials Application Technology
Research Institute stating in 2018 "
China
needs 40 million tonnes of fire-retardant building materials
per annum, which will contain 5% expandable graphite."
Samples of graphite from the Woxna mine have been delivered to ProGraphite laboratory for
characterization and testing. Graphite for graphene and expandable graphite is typically of a coarser
flake size (greater than approximately 100 micron) than that required for lithium ion battery anode
manufacture (typically 30 to 100 micron). A range of test conditions and intercalation chemicals are
being applied to develop products suitable for various end markets.
Mr.
Mark Saxon
, Interim CEO stated, "Expandable graphite provides potential high value
applications for graphite with larger flakes and at a lower purity than that required for battery anode
materials. We are now working with a highly experienced European research group to ensure
optimal materials can be produced for building product and graphene supply chains. This work runs
in parallel with our ongoing work for battery anode materials and provides potential for a deeper
product network."
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Leading Edge Materials Corp.
Mr.
Mark Saxon
, Interim CEO
About Leading Edge Materials
Leading Edge Materials is a Canadian public company focused on production of high value critical
raw materials for the European market, with an operating base in the Nordic region, a region well
recognized for its promotion and investment in innovation. LEM's flagship asset is the Woxna
Graphite production facility located in central
Sweden
targeting the supply of specialty materials for
lithium ion battery production. LEM's assets and research focus are towards the raw materials for
Li-ion batteries (graphite, lithium, cobalt); materials for high thermal efficiency building products
(graphite, silica, nepheline); and materials that improve the efficiency of energy generation
(dysprosium, neodymium, hafnium). Investments are linked to the global shift to low-carbon energy
generation and energy storage.
Additional Information
The information was submitted for publication through the agency of the contact person set out
above, at
9th July 2019
at
4:00 am
Vancouver
time.
Leading Edge Materials is listed on the TSXV under the symbol "LEM" and Nasdaq First North
Stockholm under the symbol "LEMSE". Mangold Fondkommission AB is the Company's CA on
Nasdaq First North and may be contacted at +46 (0) 8 5030 1550.
Reader Advisory
This news release may contain
statements which constitute "
forward-looking information
",
including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and
current expectations
of the
Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company.
The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate",
"expect" and similar expressions,
as
they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended
to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking
statements are not
guarantees of future
business activities and
involve risks
and
uncertainties
,
and
that
the Company's future business activities
may
differ
materially from those
in the forward-
looking
statements
as a result of various factors, including,
but not limited to,
fluctuations in market
prices, successes of the operations of the Company, the expectations, completion and
implementation of the results regarding the research
to produce expandable graphite using
materials from the Woxna graphite mine in
Sweden
,
continued availability of capital and financing
and general economic, market or business
conditions
. There can be no assurances that such
information
will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation
of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume
any obligation to update any forward-looking
information except as required
under the applicable securities laws.
Woxna has never defined a mineral reserve and the previous preliminary economic assessment
on Woxna dated
October 29, 2013
, has been superseded by the Company's current technical
report dated
May 11, 2015
. As the Woxna facility is not in production but remains on a production
ready status, any future decision to recommence mining at Woxna will not be based on a
preliminary economic assessment demonstrating the potential viability of mineral resources or
feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Under these
circumstances, there is increased risk of technical and economic failure for the Woxna project, and
the Company discloses additional risk factors relating thereto. The Company advises that it has not
based its production decision on a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic
and technical viability, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any
particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks
associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a
much higher risk of economic and technical failure. There is no guarantee that production will
begin as anticipated or at all or that anticipated production costs will be achieved. Failure to
commence production would have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to generate
revenue and cash flow to fund operations. Failure to achieve any anticipated production costs
would have a material adverse impact on the Company's cash flow and future profitability. Mineral
resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in
the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this news release.
SOURCE
Leading Edge Materials
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For further information:
please contact the Company at: 1.604.685.9316,
[email protected], www.leadingedgematerials.com
CO: Leading Edge Materials
CNW 07:00e 09-JUL-19