Sovereign Metals Limited (ASX:SVM, OTC:SVMLF, AIM:SVML) has reported "superior" outcomes in downstream testing on graphite from its Kasiya Project in Malawi, showing suitability for use in lithium batteries and further solidifying the project’s prospects.
Billed as one of the world's lowest-cost and lowest global warming potential sources of natural graphite, the Kasiya Project is home to one of the largest flake graphite deposits globally, alongside a significant natural rutile deposit.
The downstream test-work, conducted by a German industrial mineral specialist, focused on two critical attributes of the natural graphite: crystallinity and purity.
Passing with flying colours
Kasiya's graphite tested near-perfect crystallinity, confirming it possesses the best electrical conductivity attributes, while obtaining 99.95% high-purity levels, which exceeds the benchmark required for graphite in lithium-ion batteries.
The results also demonstrated low sulphur content due to the graphite being hosted in soft saprolite, which distinguishes it from graphite sourced from hard-rock deposits.
With the lithium-ion battery anode market becoming the largest end-market for natural flake graphite in 2022, the demand for graphite is expected to soar in the coming years, especially with the rise of electric vehicles.
Superior product
Sovereign managing director Dr Julian Stephens said: “The latest graphite downstream test-work confirms the superior crystallinity and purity of Kasiya’s natural graphite.
“Kasiya will potentially be one of the lowest cost flake graphite projects in the world and is also estimated to have one of the lowest global warming potentials of any current and future graphite projects.
“Producers and end users of lithium-ion batteries are already closely monitoring the carbon footprint associated with the raw materials that feed into battery technology.
“These results bolster Kasiya’s competitive advantage, indicating that not only does the project have the potential to be a dominant rutile supplier but also a dominant supplier of graphite suitable for the lithium-ion battery industry.”
Sovereign is also making great progress with Kasiya’s pre-feasibility study (PFS), the results of which, should be announced in the coming months.
Next steps
Sovereign has further testing underway as the company continues to qualify the graphite product for possible markets.
Some of the key activities include:
- Optimisation of process flowsheet to increase the concentrate grade;
- Analysis of purification process to optimise parameters focusing on achieving the most sustainable outcome;
- Micronisation, spheronisation and coating test-work; and
- Bulk sample generation program.