Great Lakes Graphite Demonstrates 99% Carbon Purity Using Simple Flotation Process
Lochaber Small Flake Material Exceeds Micronization Facility Requirements
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jun 11, 2015) - Great Lakes Graphite Inc. ("GLK" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:GLK)(OTC PINK:GLKIF)(FRANKFURT:8GL) announced today the exceptional results from its ongoing graphite mineral beneficiation program being conducted at Process Research ORTECH's facilities in Mississauga, Ontario. The primary focus of the program is to determine the highest purity levels that can be achieved using the flake material from the Lochaber Graphite Project and to identify the processes and methods that are required to achieve those standards. Results have now demonstrated that purity levels of up to 99% can be achieved using only a simple flotation process.
These tests were performed on fine material (-140 mesh) from the Lochaber Graphite Project, which is typically of lower purity and lower value. The material used for this test reported a head grade of 20.2%. The table below from AGAT Laboratories Certificate of Analysis shows assay results obtained at the successive stages:
| Sample | |||||||||
| Login | |||||||||
| Analyte: | Weight | C (total) | Graphitic C | ||||||
| Unit: | kg | % | % | ||||||
| Sample ID (AGAT ID) | RDL: | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | |||||
| HEAD (6615799) | 0.02 | 20.2 | 19.7 | ||||||
| CC4 FROTH 1 (6615800) | 0.01 | 98.2 | 97.8 | ||||||
| CC4 FROTH 2 (6615800) | 0.01 | 98.4 | 96.8 | ||||||
| CC4 FROTH 3 (6615800) | 0.01 | 97.7 | 97.4 | ||||||
| CC4 TAILS (6615803) | 0.01 | 51.7 | 51.3 | ||||||
| CC4 (6615840) | 0.01 | 95.5 | 94.3 | ||||||
| CC4 PRE (6618127) | 0.01 | 99.0 | 98.5 |
The purity testing was conducted using a normal flotation procedure only. No leaching or chemicals were required to achieve these results.
Recently GLK announced the discovery of hydrothermal vein type graphite (news release dated March 31, 2015). It was determined that the hydrothermal graphite was reporting with the fine flake material. Due to this discovery, GLK performed further grinding and flotation work to identify whether the fine material could be upgraded. Results of this testing concluded that with minimal grinding and a two-stage flotation; consistent results over 95% and ultimately 99% was achieved.
Reaching this objective with a simple, low-cost flotation procedure will enable the company to maximize the value of the smaller flake in the deposit by using it to produce higher, value-added carbon products.
The Company will now conduct a further series of tests that use a caustic leach process, which will determine the ability to upgrade the material further to the extremely high purity levels required for high-tech applications.
Paul Gorman, Great Lakes CEO said, "These latest purity test results demonstrate the high quality of natural graphite at Lochaber. It is important to note that the focus of this particular set of tests performed on the fine material, represents over 20% of the Lochaber Graphite Project. The fine material at Lochaber is particularly interesting to us in that the naturally high purity levels mean less processing, time and energy is required to increase purity to the levels that are required for value added products."
Samples used for these flotation tests were collected by Mr. Martin Ethier P. Geo. during a recent trip to the Lochaber Graphite Project, in April.
The tests were performed at Process Research ORTECH in Mississauga using standard flotation procedures. All assays were performed by AGAT Laboratories in Mississauga using the Leco method of carbon analysis.
Qualified Person, Quality Control and Assurance
Mr. Martin Éthier, P.Geo., who is a Member of the Order of Geologists of Québec and a "Qualified Person" under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release.
About Process Research ORTECH: Process Research ORTECH Inc was formed in January 1999 to take over the Process Technologies division of ORTECH Corporation (Formerly Ontario Research Foundation) under the privatization scheme of the Ontario Government. The mandate of this company is to continue the research and development work carried on by this division of ORTECH Corporation for the past 70 years, and to explore innovative solutions in this area to better serve the needs of Canadian industries as well as international companies.
Process Research ORTECH (PRO) is now a privately owned organization serving mining, metallurgical, recycling and chemical industries. Recognizing the need for sustainable development for these industries the company has expanded to offer its clients process technologies for economic advantage, environmental stewardship and societal care.
About Great Lakes Graphite: Great Lakes Graphite Inc. is an industrial minerals company focussed on bringing carbon products to a well defined market through a vertically integrated supply chain.
As there is currently no significant graphite production in North America, Great Lakes Graphite has the ability to become one of the first domestic suppliers to a growing regional customer base that requires high quality natural graphite, where pricing and demand continue to rise.
The Company, through strategic acquisitions and capable management intends to become a leader in the industrial minerals marketplace.
The Company through its Innovations Division is currently re-commissioning an Ontario based Micronization Facility for re-start in late 2015 to achieve the following objectives:
- Establish a position in the upgraded graphite products market with North American customers.
- Create a competitive and disruptive advantage by leveraging existing assets.
- Pursue an accelerated timeline to cash flow and revenue by micronizing and upgrading flake graphite, enabled by supply agreements with current graphite producers.
The Lochaber Graphite Deposit is located just 30km east of Ottawa, in southwestern Québec. The Company has also entered into option and joint venture agreements with Eloro Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE:ELO) on the Summit-Gaber Cobalt property located in the La Grande Greenstone Belt in the Baie James region of Québec. Further information regarding Great Lakes can be found on the Company's website at: www.GreatLakesGraphite.com.
Great Lakes Graphite trades with symbol GLK on the TSX Venture Exchange and currently has 95,304,075 shares outstanding (139,012,966 fully diluted).
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contact
Great Lakes Graphite Inc.
Paul Ferguson
Chief Marketing Officer
1-800-754-4510 x106
PFerguson@GreatLakesGraphite.com
Great Lakes Graphite Inc.
Paul Gorman
Chief Executive Officer
1-800-754-4510 x109
PGorman@GreatLakesGraphite.com
www.GreatLakesGraphite.com