Black Rock Mining Ltd has achieved a 99.1% total graphitic carbon purity for all flake sizes from its bulk sample taken from the Mahenge graphite project in Tanzania. 

 

The sample taken from the Ulanzi prospect represents significant purity improvements in the finest two flake sizes.

 

Graphite at this high purity level will be sought after for battery and other applications and is expected to attract a price premium.

 

Spherical graphite test work is underway in Europe to determine the suitability of Mahenge graphite for battery applications with results expected in late August.

 

Test work is ongoing from the Ulanzi and Cascade prospects within the Mahenge project.

 

 

Background

 

Black Rock owns graphite tenure in the Mahenge region, Tanzania, a country that hosts world‐class graphite mineralisation. 

 

In February 2016, the company posted a maiden JORC resource for the Mahenge project of 131 million tonnes at 7.9% TGC for 10.4 million tonnes of contained graphite.

 

The Mahenge project resource is comprised of three prospects – Ulanzi, Epanko and Cascade and is one of the largest JORC resources globally. 

 

A positive scoping study in March 2016 led into the current pre-feasibility study which is expected to be released in October 2016. 

 

The company intends to complete a definitive feasibility study by March 2017.

 

 

Pending updated JORC resources

 

Following drilling at the Cascade and Ulanzi prospects, updated JORC resources are expected in October for Cascade and September for Ulanzi.

 

A 16 hole infill drill program commenced in mid July 2016 which is following up 4 holes drilled in 2015 at Cascade.

 

Cascade only has a 12.3 million tonne resource and this drill program is expected to significantly increase the resource tonnage.

 

Resource drilling at Ulanzi was completed in mid-July 2016 and assay results from 19 of the 41 holes have been returned with slightly higher grades than for the 2015 program. 

 

Results confirm continuity of mineralisation along the 2.5 kilometre drilled portion the of 5 kilometre long Ulanzi structure. 

 

 

Analysis

 

The key outcome from this test work is that exceptionally high purities in the 98-99% range can be achieved from a straightforward processing circuit whilst preserving flake size.

 

Optimisation of the metallurgical test work program being conducted at Mahenge continues to return valuable flake size distribution and concentrate assay results.

 

Results continue to suggest the flake graphite is able to be easily processed into a high purity concentrate for sale into premium grade markets.

 

Furthermore, recent successful drilling at Cascade suggests that it is shaping up to be by far the best graphite zone at Mahenge and metallurgical testing is expected to be underway by the end of August.

 

The share price is up 240% year to date, trading at $0.17.

 

News flow is expected to continue with drill results and further metallurgical test work pending. 

 

Source : www.proactiveinvestors.com.au