(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors)
’ () flotation testing has confirmed that graphite flake distribution at its Ancuabe Project in Mozambique is among the best in the world.
The results indicated that 72% of graphite material is classified as jumbo flake size (>300µm) with 92.1% of the flakes being larger than 150µm.
Using a cut off of 425µm 98.9% of the graphite flakes are >212µm.
Graphite is readily liberated by crushing grinding rougher and cleaner flotation with no additional regrind required. This demonstrates excellent jumbo flake preservation using simple low-cost processing.
Ongoing tests are being completed to optimise grade and milling circuit.
“These latest outcomes reaffirm the previous results that the Ancuabe project contains world-leading graphite grades and flake distributions” managing director Brad Boyle said.
“Triton is extremely encouraged by these outstanding metallurgical and flotation results as it appears the flake distribution are up there with the best if not the best in the world based of published results.
“As previously stated these results support the concurrent advancement of the Ancuabe project and we are looking forward to undertaking the upcoming drilling program at Ancuabe.
“These quite extraordinary results bode well for Triton establishing a new global benchmark through TMG for the highest quality graphite products.
“Further Ancuabe may allow Triton the ability to provide greater flexibility in the range of TMG products for a wide range of clients this would place Triton in a unique and superior position in comparison to its peers.”
Triton has been rapidly building up the foundation for developing its Nicanda Hill and Ancuabe projects securing offtake agreements with China’s Yichang Xincheng Graphite and Shenzhen Qianhai Zhongjin Group.
It has also formed joint ventures with the YXGC that ensures it is involved in all aspects of the graphite value chain.
Flotation Results
The flotation results using material derived from a representative 100kg composited reconnaissance sample of outcropping graphite mineralisation averaging 14%TGC has confirmed the high value potential of the Ancuabe project.
It has obtained high grade graphite grades of up to 24%TGC in certain coarse size fractions and the majority of the graphite flake sizes contained within the jumbo and super jumbo flake range.
Graphite concentrate produced in this flake size range can attract sales prices in excess of US$2000 per tonne.
In April preliminary metallurgical tests confirmed grades of up to 98.7% TGC after just 4 cleaner stages after a single bead mill regrind.
This has now being supported by flotation results that show only a small portion less than 8% of the sample is smaller than 150µm.
The result underscores the superior quality of the Ancuabe graphite flake distribution and could result in Triton establishing a new benchmark in graphite quality and thus obtain a premium sale price for the graphitic material.
Compared to publicly released information from peer graphite companies Ancuabe graphite has the best flake size distribution in the world and the largest majority of jumbo and super jumbo graphite flakes with 92.1% of the graphite flakes are than larger than 150µm (+80 mesh) and 84.4% larger than 212µm.
These results were obtained through a minimal series of crushing grinding rougher and cleaner flotation without the need to complete a regrind of the graphite concentrate.
Ongoing optimisation of the metallurgical process is expected to further enhance the quality of the final product concentrate and reduce production costs.
Triton is also reviewing options to see if the graphite concentrate can be further upgraded using supplementary treatments.
Analysis
The flotation results showing the majority of graphite material is jumbo and super jumbo flake size confirmed the high quality nature of the Ancuabe Project and has positive implications for potential downstream economics.
Should the upcoming drilling program in June demonstrate economic quantities of large and jumbo flake graphite at Ancuabe it could complement the TMG products range and provide the company with the potential to produce large volumes of high grade graphite in the full range of flake sizes thereby accommodating a wider range of end-user requirements.
This will be supported by the simple processing required to obtain grades of up to 98.7% TGC.
The reduced processing requirements during the graphite flotation will likely have a positive impact for Triton reducing the time and energy needed to complete the process.
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