The battery test results obtained on a pilot batch of spherical
graphite for Li-ion batteries from Mason Graphite Inc. (Mason
Graphite or the Company) as part of a value-added product (VAP)
development project are positive.
The spherical graphite, purified and coated at
pilot scale level, was tested in button half-cells to confirm its
electrochemical performances as an anode material for Li-ion
batteries. The micronization—spheronization—classification portions
of the transformation process were carried out in the Company’s
pilot facilities located in the Quebec City vicinity. This first
test is also a result of close collaboration with major partners:
COREM carried out part of the manufacturing process with
pilot-scale equipment (for purification and coating), and the
National Research Council of Canada (NRC) carried out the
development of the transformation process (including the
coating process) used at COREM and performed the
electrochemical tests.
“The Mason Graphite team is fortunate to be
partnered with and supported by Canada’s largest federal research
organization (NRC) and Canada’s largest organization dedicated
entirely to research and development in ore processing (COREM).
With the support of these key partners, we are now able to show
that the graphite extracted from the Lac Guéret deposit can be
effectively transformed into spherical graphite and offer the
performance needs sought by Li-ion battery producers,” says Benoît
Gascon, President and CEO of Mason Graphite.
Positive ResultsThese results
confirm the hypothesis that the fine graphite flakes extracted from
the Lac Guéret deposit are a suitable material to manufacture
spherical graphite for the lithium-ion anode market, particularly
for electric vehicles.
Mason Graphite proposes a product with
physicochemical and electrochemical properties similar to those of
commercial products currently available on the market. These
promising results will be soon validated by tests in complete
batteries (graphite and lithiated metal oxide).
Comparison CriteriaThe purity,
bulk density, grain size, and specific surface area of graphite are
some of the physical properties evaluated to determine the quality
of the spherical graphite. The specific capacity and its evolution
(retention) are parameters that indicate the product’s performance
in Li-ion application. The table and graph below compare the
results of the Mason Graphite product with the properties and
performance of other commercial products available on the
market.
|
Physicochemical properties |
Electrochemical Performance |
|
Purity(%C) |
BET Surface(m²/g) |
Tapped Density (g/cm³) |
Specific Capacity(mAh/g) |
Capacity Retention (%) |
Mason Graphite Product |
> 99.95 |
2.8 |
1.21 |
356 |
94 |
Commercial Product |
99,93-99,99 |
0,8-3,0 |
1,01-1,28 |
> 350 |
> 90 |
It should be noted that the development of
value-added products represents Phase 2 of the global Mason
Graphite project, with the Lac Guéret mine and the Baie-Comeau
concentrator site representing Phase 1. The Company is making
progress and investing in both phases concurrently as demand in the
markets targeted by the second phase is expected to grow
significantly in the coming years, particularly with regard to
electric vehicles. Furthermore, a technical and economic study on
the industrialization of Phase 2 is currently underway and its
results should be disclosed in 2020. The new VAP plant would be
built in Baie-Comeau, on the same land as the concentrator (Phase
1), land already owned by the Company.
With respect to Phase 1, in recent months Mason
Graphite received, in Baie-Comeau, the essential equipment that
could have taken up to one year for delivery, obtained new permits,
and revised the layout of the mine infrastructure to improve water
management and environmental protection. The Company is ready to
begin construction as soon as financing is completed, which is on
track following the $45M raised in early 2018 and the $28M raised
through the sale of NanoXplore Inc. shares. To date, Mason Graphite
has invested approximately $40M in detailed engineering (75%
completion), equipment purchases, construction contract
negotiations, purchase of land in Baie-Comeau, and preparatory
work.
Consent of the Qualified
PersonJean L'Heureux, Eng., M. Eng., Executive Vice
President, Process Development for Mason Graphite, and a Qualified
Person, as defined by NI 43-101 for Mason Graphite, was responsible
for the audit of data presented in this press release and read and
approved it.
About Mason Graphite and the Lac Guéret
ProjectMason Graphite is a Canadian mining and processing
company focused on the development of its 100% owned Lac Guéret
natural graphite deposit located in northeastern Québec. The
Company is led by a highly experienced team that has over six
decades of experience in graphite production, sales, and research
and development. For more information,
visit www.masongraphite.com.
Source:Ana
Rodrigues, at info@masongraphite.com or at 1-514-289-3580Head
Office: 3030 Le Carrefour Boulevard, Suite 600, Laval, Quebec, H7T
2P5
Cautionary Statements
This press release contains
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian
securities legislation. All information contained herein that is
not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking
information. Generally, such forward-looking information can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as
"plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget",
"scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or
"does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words
and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may",
"could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be
achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the
actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of
the Company to be materially different from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking information, including but not
limited to: (i) volatile stock price; (ii) the general global
markets and economic conditions; (iii) the possibility of
write-downs and impairments; (iv) the risk associated with
exploration, development and operations of mineral deposits; (v)
the risk associated with establishing title to mineral properties
and assets; (vi) the risks associated with entering into joint
ventures; (vii) fluctuations in commodity prices; (viii) the risks
associated with uninsurable risks arising during the course of
exploration, development and production; (ix) competition faced by
the resulting issuer in securing experienced personnel and
financing; (x) access to adequate infrastructure to support mining,
processing, development and exploration activities; (xi) the risks
associated with changes in the mining regulatory regime governing
the resulting issuer; (xii) the risks associated with the various
environmental regulations the resulting issuer is subject to;
(xiii) risks related to regulatory and permitting delays; (xiv)
risks related to potential conflicts of interest; (xv) the reliance
on key personnel; (xvi) liquidity risks; (xvii) the risk of
potential dilution through the issue of common shares; (xviii) the
Company does not anticipate declaring dividends in the near term;
(xix) the risk of litigation; and (xx) risk
management.
Forward-looking information is based on
assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such
statements are made, including but not limited to, continued
exploration activities, no material adverse change in metal prices,
exploration and development plans proceeding in accordance with
plans and such plans achieving their stated expected outcomes,
receipt of required regulatory approvals, and such other
assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has
attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those contained in the
forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause
results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can
be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to
be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking
information. Such forward-looking information has been provided for
the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's
business, operations and exploration plans and may not be
appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not
place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Forward-looking information is made as of the date of this press
release, and the Company does not undertake to update such
forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable
securities laws.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
A graph accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5c5cbe74-e298-477d-867f-f262fc836491
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