Testing Indicates Northern Graphite Concentrates Very Well Suited for Making Battery Anode Materials
Testing Indicates Northern Graphite
Concentrates Very Well Suited for Making
Battery Anode Materials
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 25, 2021) -
Northern Graphite Corporation
(TSXV: NGC)
(OTCQB: NGPHF)
(the "Company" or "Northern") is pleased to announce results from the first phase of
testing with respect to manufacturing spherical graphite or "SPG" from graphite concentrates produced
from the Bissett Creek deposit.
SPG is the anode material used in lithium ion batteries.
The testing was
carried out by ProGraphite who concluded that Bissett Creek concentrates are very well suited for the
spheronization process with an above average yield, narrow particle size distribution and relatively high
tap density.
ProGraphite is located in Germany and is one of the world's leading graphite R&D
laboratories with over several decades of professional expertise and experience.
Gregory Bowes, CEO commented that: "The large flake nature of our Bissett Creek deposit provides
Northern with the luxury of starting with a project that is 'right sized' for the current market and has robust
economics based on higher margin industrial markets that are here now.
However, we must also be
prepared for higher prices and better margins in the battery anode material market as they are
necessary to stimulate development of the multiple new graphite mines needed for automobile
manufacturers to meet their EV sales targets."
He added that: "Potential supply shortages may create a
scenario where all of our production needs to be turned into anode material regardless of flake size."
ProGraphite produced three SPG products with average sizes of approximately 15, 17 and 20 microns.
The SPG yield ranged between 52.3 and 55.3 per cent compared to industry averages of 35 to 40 per
cent.
The particle size distribution was relatively steep in all cases which is a desirable quality.
The tap
density was also relatively high, ranging between 94 and 99 per cent.
In part, this reflects the high bulk
density of Bissett Creek concentrates which is a requirement for high quality SPG.
The ProGraphite
results confirm test work previously carried out by the Beijing General Research Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy ("BGRIMM") who also stated that the yield of SPG should increase with large scale,
commercial processing.
BGRIMM is a Chinese state owned research and development company and
the premier Chinese institute in the field of mining and metallurgical technology.
Spheronization is the first step in manufacturing SPG and essentially involves micronizing the graphite
flakes and rolling them up like a snowball.
The spherical shape improves packing density in the anode
which means higher capacity batteries, it creates more sites for lithium ion intercalation which results in
better battery performance and it enables the anode material to be laid down quickly and uniformly in thin
sheets during the battery manufacturing process.
About Northern Graphite
Northern Graphite is a mineral development and technology company focussed on developing its Bissett
Creek graphite deposit and upgrading mine concentrates into high value components used in lithium-ion
batteries, electric vehicles, fuel cells, graphene and other advanced technologies.
An independent study
estimates that Bissett Creek will have the highest margin of any existing or proposed graphite deposit
due to its very favorable location, simple metallurgy and the high quality of its concentrates which the
Company believes will provide a competitive advantage in manufacturing products for the green
economy.
Bissett Creek is an advanced stage project with a full Feasibility Study and its major mining permit which
puts the Company in position to make a construction decision, subject to financing.
The Project is
located in the southern part of Canada between the cities of North Bay and Ottawa and close to the
Trans-Canada highway providing ready access to labour, supplies, equipment, natural gas and markets.
Qualified Person
Gregory Bowes, B.Sc. MBA, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101,
has reviewed and is responsible for the technical information in this news release.
For additional information
Please visit the Company's website at
http://www.northerngraphite.com/investors/presentation/
, the
Company's profile on
www.sedar.com
, contact
Gregory Bowes, CEO (613) 241-9959 or visit our
Social
Channels
.
YouTube
This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable
Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information are frequently characterized by
words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential",
"possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will",
"could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding,
among others; economic and technical studies, graphite prices, project economics, permitting, the
development timeline and the graphite market.
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historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors they
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labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure and
the failure of ongoing and contemplated studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would
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undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what
management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that
actual results will be consistent with them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date
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