iTech Minerals builds graphite potential at Campoona in South Australia

iTech Minerals (ASX: ITM) has firmed-up 200km of prospective graphite strike across its Campoona project in South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.

The identification of the 200km graphite strike follows a review of recently merged airborne electromagnetic (EM) surveys across the project.

iTech managing director Mike Schwarz noted the company holds 100% of the graphite rights covering 2,085 square kilometres of tenements in the region.

“A recent review of the graphite potential across this large holding has interpreted over 200km of graphite bearing horizons from recently merged airborne electromagnetic surveys and drilling,” he explained.

As part of the review, 1,470sq km of EM surveys had been merged. Airborne EM surveys measure the conductivity of rocks beneath the surface and can be helpful in identifying potential graphite anomalies.

Mr Schwarz said following the review the Lacroma and Sugarloaf prospects at Campoona “stand out” as having “high potential to significantly add to current graphite resources.”

Drilling is scheduled to begin at Lacroma and Sugarloaf later this year.

Advancing Campoona graphite project

At Lacroma, a conductive anomaly has been identified that measures 6km by 3km. Graphite outcropping at surface has also been confirmed through recent drilling.

A highlight intercept from drilling at the prospect was 60m at 6.8% total graphitic carbon (TGC).

Over at Sugarloaf, a conductive anomaly spans 4.5km by 1.3km.

iTech has calculated an exploration target for Sugarloaf of 158-264 million tonnes grading 7-12% TGC.

Campoona has existing JORC resources that encompasses three deposits – Wilclo South, Campoona Shaft and Campoona Central.

Combined, the three deposits have 8.55Mt at 9% TGC in JORC resources.

Wilclo South accounts for 6.38Mt at 8.8% TGC, while Campoona Shaft has 1.65Mt at 9.2% TGC and Campoona Central 520,000t at 11.1% TGC.

A mining licence covers Campoona Central, with rest of the ground held under exploration, multipurpose and water infrastructure permits.

High-purity spherical and flake graphite

In September, iTech revealed results from metallurgical test work on a bulk sample of run-of-mine Campoona ore.

Test work on the ore generated a 99.99% pure spherical and flake graphite.

The high-purity was achieved with caustic baking and autoclave assisted caustic leach – eliminating the need for hydrofluoric (HF) acid.

“These results demonstrate that Campoona has the potential to produce a high value spherical graphite, from an Australian project in a state with significant production of renewable energy and excellent infrastructure,” Mr Schwarz said.

“The use of non-HF methods such as caustic baking to purify the concentrate add further weight to the project’s green credentials, which we believe will help us produce a premium product for the renewable energy markets,” he added.