NGX achieves battery-suitable graphite concentrate through optimisation

NGX Limited (ASX:NGX) has achieved a graphite concentrate of 98% – suitable for use in producing lithium-ion batteries – through flowsheet optimisation test work based on material taken from the company’s Malingunde Natural Graphite Project in Malawi.

The testwork was carried out at a laboratory in Australia and focused on upgrading the concentrating, increasing the average graphite grade from 94% to 98% TGC without any reduction in recovery.

This 98% TGC setting is significant as it indicates the concentrate’s suitability as active anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Higher purity graphite content is also beneficial when it comes to downstream processing as it suggests a lower consumption of reagents to purify the material.

NGX has dispatched the upgraded concentrate to tier-one customers for assessment. It will also be integrated into downstream testwork as part of the graphite explorer’s ongoing qualification program.

NGX director Peter Fox said he was pleased with the result, given the efficient upgrade based on simple amendments to the flowsheet.

“In a current market with a benchmark of 94% TGC, this cost-efficiency and environmental advantages of producing concentrate at 98% TGC purity are significant, presenting a compelling opportunity for industry stakeholders and downstream end-users to take notice,” he said.

“NGX looks forward to updating shareholders on the sample provided to a Tier-1 anode
material producer and progress on the Company’s own vertically integrated ore-to-anode materials development.”

NGX has been trading at 15 cents.

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