Leading Edge Materials Provides an Update on Woxna Graphite Battery Materials Project
Leading Edge Materials Provides an Update on Woxna Graphite
Battery Materials Project
VANCOUVER
,
July 23, 2018
/CNW/ -
Leading Edge Materials Corp.
("
Leading Edge Materials
") or ("
the "Company
") (
TSXV: LEM
) (
OTCQB:
LEMIF
) (
Nasdaq First North: LEMSE
) is pleased to provide an update regarding ongoing activity at the Woxna graphite mine in
Sweden
.
Woxna is a fully constructed mine, with all processing, waste management and infrastructure in place. During 2017, the site was granted an
extension to its operating license until 2041. Leading Edge Materials is now focused on process development for the sustainable production of
customer-ready graphite anode material for lithium ion batteries.
Discussion with prospective European customers has confirmed that large sample volumes and commercial scale processes are required if battery
materials are to gain industrial qualification. Leading Edge Materials is positioning Woxna to deliver the required volume of graphite anode material
for testing by multiple prospective customers during 2019.
To help achieve this, the Company has recently completed an internal conceptual study to benchmark the suitability of the Woxna site and define the
necessary research and engineering steps. Leading Edge Materials engaged Hatch (a global engineering consultancy) to provide professional
engineering services.
Subject to finance and satisfactory technical results, the Company intends to operate a Battery Graphite Demonstration Plant at Woxna to promote
engagement with future customers. The proposed Demonstration Plant will be of a scale that will produce near commercial quantities of graphite
anode materials while enabling real time process optimization and definition of critical economic parameters. As a fully built mine, Woxna has
excellent infrastructure, access to all utilities, and is very well suited for both demonstration scale and commercial scale plant installations.
Amongst other outcomes, the internal conceptual study recommends further laboratory scale testing of thermal purification. This test work will
define how furnace operating parameters influence product quality and allow for a trade-off study that will direct the design of the Battery Graphite
Demonstration Plant. In addition, further spheronising test work is recommended to constrain technical specifications and select operating
equipment.
Both the purification and spheronising test work is now underway. Results of this test work will allow tight specifications to be shared with
equipment manufacturers when quoting on equipment for the proposed Battery Graphite Demonstration Plant.
Work planned and underway for the Woxna graphite project includes:
Additional spheronising test program. Results are expected during Q3 2018;
Thermal purification test program. Results anticipated Q3 2018;
Complete an internal trade off study to direct the design of a Battery Graphite Demonstration Plant. Study recommendations are expected late
Q3 2018;
Commence detailed design and equipment procurement for demonstration plant. Expected Q4 2018;
Review and confirm environmental compliance of proposed demonstration plant installation at the Woxna site. Targeted Q4 2018.
Blair Way
, President and CEO, stated, "The recommendations of the internal study take advantage of a fully built graphite mine. Subject to technical
results and financing, this work will place Woxna on a clear path to providing the battery industry with the volume of anode material needed for
testing, qualification and establishment off take agreements. While laboratory scale test work is critical to establish process boundaries, it is only
through a Demonstration Plant that both process and product can be meaningfully assessed. We are now progressing the laboratory scale test
work so that Woxna is positioned to supply substantial quantities of lithium ion battery anode material to potential customers in 2019."
On behalf of the Board,
"Blair Way"
Blair Way
, President & CEO
Qualified Person
The qualified person for the Company's project, Mr.
Blair Way B.S
. (Geology) M.B.A., a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy, the Company's President and CEO, has reviewed and verified the contents of this document.
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 recognised 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. Leading Edge Materials currently operate in four divisions, Graphite,
Lithium, Rare Earth and Cobalt. Mangold Fondkommission AB is the company's Certified Adviser ("CA") as part of the listing requirements for
Nasdaq First North.
About Hatch
Hatch is employee-owned and passionately committed to the pursuit of a better world through positive change. Hatch's experience spans over 150
countries around the world in the metals, energy, infrastructure, digital, and investments market sectors. Hatch's exceptional, diverse teams
combine vast engineering and business knowledge, working in partnership with their clients to develop market strategies, manage and optimize
production, develop new game-changing technologies, and design and deliver complex capital projects. Hatch is passionate about their corporate
purpose and values, and believe in long-term relationships with their partners, and are committed to their clients' lasting success.
Additional Information
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 Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North.
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.
Forward-Looking Information. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These
statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such
statements include but are not limited to, unexpected geological conditions; the Company's expectations regarding exploration activities to advance
critical material projects for energy storage markets, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government
authorities. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there are risk factors which could cause the
Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed
or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary
statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of
any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.
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SOURCE
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For further information:
1.604.685.9316 or [email protected], www.leadingedgematerials.com
CO: Leading Edge Materials
CNW 08:30e 23-JUL-18