iTech Minerals reveals promising metallurgical results from Campoona graphite ore

iTech Minerals (ASX: ITM) has confirmed its Campoona deposit in South Australia has been able to produce spherical graphite that meets or exceeds all industry standard parameters for lithium-ion battery anode material.

The battery and critical minerals explorer today announced the results of a metallurgical program that was undertaken by ANZAPLAN in Germany on a bulk sample of run-of-mine material from Campoona.

Commenting on the results, iTech managing director Mike Schwarz said they 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.

“The use of non-HF (non-hydrofluoric acid) 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.

Metallurgical results

The 407kg ore sample tested by ANZAPLAN returned high yields of 47% spherical graphite and the ability to purify the flake concentrate to 99.99% fixed carbon prior to spheronisation.

According to iTech, this shows the potential for “excellent” conversion of flake into high-value spherical graphite and opens the possibility to produce a high-value purified fine product, rather than the normally low-value waste generated during spheronisation.

Purified fines left over from spheronisation can be used as conductivity-enhancement additives in the battery cathodes, which are typically worth more than spheroidal graphite produced from natural graphite, the company said.

Resource expansion program

The Campoona graphite project currently holds a JORC 2012 graphite mineral resource of 8.55 million tonnes at 9% total graphitic carbon.

iTech believes it could significantly expand its global graphite resources at both the Sugarloaf and Lacroma prospects.

The company is planning a substantial drilling program to test both prospects with the aim of upgrading its total mineral resources.

iTech is also currently investigating the best pathway to produce “green graphite” including the use of abundant renewable energy available in South Australia.