Agoracom Blog

Focus Clarifies Disclosure on its Lac Knife Project

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 4:43 PM on Monday, September 10th, 2012

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Sept. 10, 2012) – As a result of a review by the staff of the Ontario Securities Commission (the “OSC“), Focus Graphite Inc. (“Focus” or the “Company“) (TSX VENTURE:FMS)(OTCQX:FCSMF)(FRANKFURT:FKC) is issuing the following news release regarding its disclosure on the Lac Knife Project (the “Project“). Indeed, the Company has been notified by the OSC of its recent selection for a review of its continuous disclosure record, the whole conducted under Section 20.1 of the Securities Act (Ontario).

The OSC has advised the Company that it is of the view that Focus has disclosed, in numerous documents, the outcomes on a study that includes the economic analysis of the potential viability of mineral resources on the Project that is not supported by a technical report as required by National Instrument in 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101“). The OSC is therefore of the opinion that the Company is in default of filing the required technical report triggered by the disclosure made by the Company on the Project.

The disclosure referred to in the OSC comment letter is found on the Company’s website (namely in the section containing information on the Project), and in various other documents such as an investor / broker update, presentations and speeches and the corporate presentation of the Company, all of which are available on the Company’s website. Such documents contained, among other, information on the Project’s capital cost, mine life, estimates on yearly production, production costs per ton and revenue potential. Most of this information was taken from historical reports prepared by previous owners of the Project before the introduction of NI 43-101 and should not be relied upon.

In January 18, 2012, the Company filed on SEDAR an NI 43-101 compliant technical report prepared by Roche Ltd. – consulting group, Tekhne Research and Bumigene Inc., which contained an updated resource calculation on the Project.

In light of the comments and concerns raised by the OSC, in light of the current resource estimate filed by the Company in January 2012 and considering that the Company is scheduled to file a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Project within the next few weeks, the Company has reviewed its disclosure documents relating to the Project and has removed the technical information on the Project which is presently not supported by a current NI 43-101 compliant technical report. The Company will conduct a further review and update of these documents upon release of its Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Project.

Focus Graphite Vice President, Exploration, Mr. Tony Brisson, is the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed this news release.

About Focus Graphite

Focus Graphite Inc. is an emerging mid-tier junior mining development company, a technology solutions supplier and a business innovator. It is the owner of the NI 43-101 compliant Lac Knife graphite deposit grading 16% carbon as graphite. The company’s goal is to assume an industry leadership position by becoming a low-cost producer of technology-grade graphite. As a technology-oriented enterprise with a view to building long-term, sustainable shareholder value, Focus Graphite is invested in the development of graphene applications and patents through Grafoid Inc.

Forward Looking Statements – Disclaimer

This news release may contain forward looking statements, being statements which are not historical facts, and discussions of future plans and objectives. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove accurate. Such statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations are in our documents filed from time to time with the TSX Venture Exchange and provincial securities regulators, most of which are available at www.sedar.com Focus Graphite disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update such statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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Big North Enters into Letter of Intent to Acquire Three Past-Producing Graphite Mines in Sonora Mexico

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:34 AM on Monday, September 10th, 2012

Vancouver, B.C., September 10, 2012 – BIG NORTH GRAPHITE CORP. (TSX-V: NRT) (the “Company” or “Big North”), announced today that the Company has entered into a letter of intent (the “LOI”) with Can-Am Gold Corp. (the “Vendor”) to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Grafito La Barranca SA de CV (“Grafito”), held by the Vendor (which shares represent 99.9% of the issued and outstanding share capital of Grafito)(the “Transaction”).  Grafito is the registered and beneficial owner of two mining concessions located in Sonora, Mexico.

Grafito holds a 100% interest in the Aki Wiki concession (“Aki Wiki”) and has a 50/50 joint venture on the Nuevo San Pedro property (“Nuevo San Pedro”, and together with Aki Wiki, the “Property”), a past producing amorphous graphite mine which is currently being re-opened.  Both concessions are located in the San Jose de Moradillas region, a region that has produced graphite for more than 145 years.  San Jose de Moradillas is located approximately 45 kilometers southwest of the city of Hermosillo, Mexico.

Aki Wiki consists of approximately 145 hectares. There are two past producing mines on the property, La Fortuna and Caraples.  Aki Wiki is located approximately 1.5 kilometers south of the historic El Cochi graphite mine, where there was a town of more than 600 workers living there at that time. The peak of graphite production for the region occurred in 1996, when the region produced and shipped approximately 58,000 tons.

Nuevo San Pedro is an approximately 11 hectare property located north of Aki Wiki and near the town of La Colorada. The La Lourdes graphite mine, which has been in operation for approximately 50 years, is located less than 1 kilometer to the north.  Nuevo San Pedro is a past producing mine, which shut down due to low graphite prices.  The mine is currently being re-opened.

Pursuant to the terms of the LOI, Big North will acquire 100% of the interests held by the Vendor in the Property by acquiring all of the issued and outstanding shares held by the Vendor in Grafito by making the following payments and issuing the following common shares to the Vendor:

-US$25,000 upon signing the LOI as a non-refundable deposit;

-US$75,000 within 5 days of TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) acceptance of the definitive agreement for the Transaction (the “Effective Date”);

-US$100,000 upon the first year anniversary of the Effective Date, or upon completion of a minimum $1,500,000 equity financing of Big North, whichever occurs earlier;

-1,200,000 common shares in the capital of Big North (“Big North Shares”) within 5 days of the Effective Date;

-500,000 Big North Shares on or before the 6 month anniversary of the Effective Date; and

-500,000 Big North Shares on or before the 12 month anniversary of the Effective Date.

The Vendor and Big North are arm’s length parties as defined by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”).  A finder’s fee may be paid in connection with this Transaction up to the maximum permitted by the policies of the TSXV.

The Transaction is subject to a number of conditions and approvals, including, but not limited to, satisfactory due diligence, settlement of a definitive agreement, required corporate approvals and TSXV approval.  There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

For further information please contact Spiro Kletas at (604) 629-8220.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

(signed) “Spiro Kletas” Spiro Kletas President and Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws, the Company will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company.

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National Graphite Corp Expands Graphite Holdings in NW Nevada

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 12:41 PM on Wednesday, September 5th, 2012

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 5, 2012 – National Graphite Corp (NGRC-OTCBB) formerly Lucky Boy Silver Corp. (LUCB-OTCBB) is pleased to announce that the Company has contracted with John O. Rud, Geologist, M.Sc. of the GeoXplor Corporation to expand the Company’s graphite land holdings in NW Nevada. The Company previously purchased a 100% interest in and to the Chedic Graphite Property consisting of  20 Mineral Lode Claims in Township, 15 North, Range 19 East, Sections 25 & 26 Carson City, NV comprising approximately 400 acres. This expansion will add 300 acres adjacent to the Chedic/Voltaire Graphite mine. Field work will commence immediately.

The Company previously also purchased 65 claims of 60 hectares each for a total of over 9,600 acres in Lochaber Township in Quebec, Canada.  This property is near the Dun Raven Mines that is estimated to have in excess of four million tons of 4.1% Graphite.

Graphite

Graphite is one of the most versatile of non-metallic minerals. Used in batteries, lubricants, brake linings, refractories and foundries, graphite can be either synthetic or natural.  Natural and synthetic graphite industries operate independently and have little crossover in market share and end uses. The rise of the Lithium-ion battery has caused great excitement in the graphite industry in recent times. Demand for batteries (primarily nickel-metal-hydride and to a lesser extent Li-ion) caused a surged in graphite demand in the late 1980s through the 2000s – driven by portable electronics such as cell phones, iPods*, iPads* and portable computers. Lithium Batteries are the fastest growing end and use 10X the graphite to lithium and is a critical element in the rapidly expanding electric auto market. Batteries are the fastest growing end use for graphite. Electric vehicles hold the potential to see graphite demand boom. For example, the Li-ion battery in the fully electric Nissan Leaf contains nearly 40 kg of graphite.

World Production

China dominates world graphite production and represents 75% of total output. India is the second largest producer followed by Brazil, North Korea, Austria and Canada. The U.S. has no current natural graphite production but with National Graphite Corp’s exploration commitment plans, this will soon change.

*iPod, iPad are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.

Contact: Kenneth B Liebscher – [email protected]

“Safe Harbor” Statement:Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements in the press release that relate to the Company’s expectations with regard to the future impact on the Company’s results from new products in development are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements -This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the success of the programs it is commercializing and developing. Further, the risks involve the ability of the Company to raise capital to fund its operations and the capital requirements for the development and marketing of its products.  Investors are encouraged to review the risk factors listed or described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Donner Metals Bracemac-Mcleod Continues on Target

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:52 AM on Wednesday, September 5th, 2012

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Sept. 5, 2012) – Mr. Harvey Keats, Chief Executive Officer of Donner Metals Ltd. (“Donner Metals” or the “Company”) (TSX VENTURE:DON)(FRANKFURT:D4M), is pleased to provide an update on the development for the Bracemac-McLeod Mine as reported to the Company by partner and project operator Xstrata Canada Corporation-Xstrata Zinc Canada Division (“Xstrata Zinc”).

Multi-face development continues on 9 fronts and total lateral development now stands at 5,550 metres. Mine pre-production activities should be completed by year-end and the initial production is on schedule to begin in the first quarter of 2013. The project is tracking on budget, with the contingency allocated to the additional ball mill. The status of project development at Bracemac-McLeod is summarized as follows:

Surface:

Site administration facilities and infrastructure Existing
Matagami mill infrastructure (upgraded in 2007-2008) Existing
Tailings facility Existing
Railroad and highway (zinc and copper concentrate shipping) Existing
Haulage road to Matagami mill Complete
Ramp portal Complete
Stockpile and waste rock pads Complete
Service access road to portal Complete
Power, water service and mine water line to treatment facilities Complete
Power and access to vent/fill raise sites Complete
Electrical substation at Bracemac Complete
Communication tower at Bracemac Complete
Permanent surface mine dewatering pumping station Complete
Remaining Perseverance personnel relocation to Matagami Lake complex Complete
Surface garage and support buildings (to be augmented by Perseverance buildings) Complete
Perseverance office building transfer In progress
Perseverance garage transfer In progress
Permanent parking lot In progress
Mill and tailing capacity increase In progress
Additional ball mill to increase grinding capacity In progress

Underground:

Ramp to Bracemac area and underground power supply at Bracemac Complete
Fill raise construction Complete
Temporary ventilation in fill raise Complete
Temporary heating units relocated from Perseverance to Bracemac Complete
Underground powder magazine and cap magazine Complete
Underground electrical substation Complete
Equipment purchase and transfer from the Perseverance Mine Ongoing
Underground garage at Bracemac In progress
Vent raise construction In progress
Underground dewatering system In progress
Underground storage #1 Complete
Underground storage #2 and #3 In progress
Refuge station #1 and #2 Complete
Refuge station #3 In progress
Ramps to McLeod zone In progress
Multi-face development to Bracemac ore lenses In progress
Definition diamond drilling at Bracemac In progress

Donner Metals’ CEO Harvey Keats commented on the progress made and ongoing construction saying, “As can be seen from the details of the project development, both on the surface and underground, Bracemac-McLeod is poised to replace the Perseverance Mine in feeding the Matagami mill.”

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The Bracemac-McLeod deposit contains Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves of 3.7 million tonnes grading 9.60% zinc, 1.26% copper, 28.25g/t silver and 0.43g/t gold. Inferred Mineral Resources of 2.6 million tonnes grading 8.79% zinc, 1.31% copper, 38.84g/t silver and 1.06g/t gold are located in proximity to the Mineral Reserves.

The Company is a fully vested partner with Xstrata Canada Corporation in the extensive Matagami base metal camp located in the Abitibi region of Québec. This joint venture partnership covers six joint venture areas (“the Matagami Project”) governing 4,737 square kilometres of prime stratigraphy, which has yielded high-grade base metal production since 1963. Xstrata Zinc is the project operator for the Matagami Project, including the Bracemac-McLeod Mine. Additional information is available at www.donnermetals.com.

Robin Adair (VP of Exploration) is a Qualified Person for Donner Metals Ltd. and is responsible for the technical information reported in this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DONNER METALS LTD.

Harvey Keats, Chief Executive Officer

Cautionary Statement:

Certain phrases in this news release are “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements are identified by wording such as “should be,” and “is on schedule.” Such statements are applicable specifically to the Bracemac-McLeod Deposit in relation to: 1) the possible future completion of development as scheduled under the current development plan, 2) mining/production in relation to the current mining plan and 3) future planned exploration activities. Such statements also pertain to the completion of the project within context of the budget as defined in the feasibility study completed by Xstrata Canada Corporation – Xstrata Zinc Canada Division and Genivar Limited Partnership in 2010. With respect to future production, and the commencement thereof, from the Bracemac-McLeod deposit, the forward looking statements are in the context of the feasibility study completed by Xstrata Canada Corporation – Xstrata Zinc Canada Division and Genivar Limited Partnership in 2010 as posted under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com. “Forward-looking statements” involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Further discussion of “forward looking statements” and “future oriented financial information” and the risks inherent to mineral exploration and development, in relation to Donner’s activities, can be found on the Company’s website at www.donnermetals.com. The reader is cautioned not to place any undue reliance on any forward-looking statement.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Contact Information

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Small-Cap CEO Lesson: You Are Not Berkshire Hathaway, So Write Better Headlines For Your Press Releases

Posted by AGORACOM at 10:25 AM on Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

I came across this press release today:

————

Canadian Overseas Petroleum Reports Second Quarter Results

CALGARY, Aug. 10, 2012 /CNW/ – Canadian Overseas Petroleum Limited (“COPL” or the “Company”) (XOP: TSX-V) announces its second quarter results for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012. The Interim Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the second quarter can be viewed on the company’s website at www.canoverseas.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the COPL listing.

————-

That was the entire press release, with the usual About and Contact information below it.  Here are my comments:

1.  I understand the trend towards notice and access press releases, which basically entails companies advising they have issued a press release and letting you know where you can read it.  It has numerous advantages, especially the cost of having to distribute a long quarterly report.  Companies across the entire cap-range are using this new technique to cut down costs, including the richest man on the planet.

(Side Note – What Is A Notice And Access Press Release? – Notice and Access press releases give companies the option to stop sending full-text news releases and instead use paid PR wires to advise investors that new information is available on companies’ websites and provide direct links to the information.) Via IR Web Report

2.  Canadian Overseas Petroleum, or any small cap for that matter, is not Berkshire Hathaway.   If you want new investors to read your press releases, you absolutely have to get more descriptive in your headline.  Tease us with some figures related to revenues, income, production, growth … anything to make investors want to pick your press release out of the pile and actually click through for more.

3.  We now live in a social, interconnected world where your actual and prospective investors can “Like”, “Tweet”, “Retweet” and post compelling news with just one click.  Give them a reason to get you and your news viral.  I guarantee you that “Reports Second Quarter Results” doesn’t work for anybody with a market cap under $100 Million.

Press releases are an important component of investor relations for any small-cap company … make them count.

Regards,

George

Like this Small-Cap CEO Lesson?  View all of my Small-Cap CEO Lessons here.

 

 

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Alabama Graphite Announces Preparation of Technical Report for Coosa Graphite Project

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:20 AM on Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

Sep 04, 2012 — September 4, 2012 – VANCOUVER, BC, Canada – Alabama Graphite Corp. (the “Company”) (cnsx:ALP) announces the filing of a technical report titled “Technical Report, Coosa Graphite Project, Coosa County, Alabama, USA, dated August 31, 2012 with an effective date of August 22, 2012 (the “Technical Report”) prepared by Dana Durgin, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.

The Company’s Alabama subsidiary, Alabama Graphite Company, Inc. (the “Subsidiary”), leased the mining rights to the project area pursuant to a mining lease agreement and option dated August 1, 2012. The Subsidiary is also currently negotiating a surface access agreement with the holder of surface rights over the project area.

History of Graphite in Alabama

Graphite deposits were recognized in Alabama as early as before 1860. The first successful efforts to recover the graphite were in 1899 when the Allen Graphite Company started producing graphite using a patented oil flotation process. Disruption of foreign graphite supplies in World War I stimulated a graphite boom in Alabama. By 1918 there were 30 flotation plants operating in the district with a total production of 1918 of 7.8 million pounds (3.5 million kg) of graphite. Resumption of foreign trade after the war caused many of the plants to close, but three plants remained in service until 1929. All were closed by 1930.

The onset of World War II caused the Ceylon plant in Coosa County to re-open in 1939. It also prompted a study of the Alabama Graphite Belt by the US Bureau of Mines as a source of strategically important graphite. A field lab was established in Ashland and the Bureau of Mines studied 49 graphite deposits in 11 mining areas, including extensive mapping, trenching, sampling and some drilling of virtually all of the known deposits. By the end of the war, three mills were in operation. However at the war’s end, demand decreased and by 1950 there were only two mines still in operation, and both were closed in 1953. The Alabama Graphite Belt has been idle since that time. The recent upsurge of interest in graphite has prompted a renewed interest in the area. The acquisition of the Coosa Graphite property is one of the first new developments in this area.

The Coosa Graphite Project

The Coosa Graphite Property is located in Coosa County, Alabama, 60 air miles (96km) south-southeast of Birmingham and covers approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) of strike length of graphitic schists, which includes several bands of graphitic schist in a zone up to 6 miles (9.6km) wide. An initial sampling program has been completed with positive results. The author of the Technical Report has visited the historic mines in the field, and has seen the graphitic schist exposures in roadcuts. The author of the Technical Report has reviewed the sampling and analytical protocols and found them to be satisfactory.

The distribution of the graphitic schists and the locations of higher grade areas within the Coosa Graphite Project are generally outlined on the available geologic maps but are poorly known in detail. The author of the Technical Report has recommended an airborne electromagnetic (EM) survey to define the locations and limits of the graphite-bearing schist units. It is expected that the EM survey will focus the subsequent exploration efforts on the most favorable areas.

The Property has a well-developed network of access roads built for timber management purposes. These provide exposures of the schists in roadcuts, which would otherwise be difficult to find. Some of these have been sampled, in less than 10% of the prospective area. A preliminary sampling program consisting of 113 channel samples returned an average of 4.28% total carbon. Previous analyses at the Coosa Graphite Project indicate that 97% of the carbon is in the form of graphite.

In addition to the geophysical survey, a program of backhoe trenching is being implemented to further expose the geology in the areas where the channel sampling indicated the more well-mineralized graphitic horizons. This work is expected to define drilling targets.

The recommended budget for the planned program for the exploration and development program at the Coosa Graphite Project is US$2,518,000.

Daniel Spine, President and Chief Executive Officer, states, “Alabama Graphite is proud to be leading the way in investigating the possible reawakening of Alabama as a major supplier of North American graphite. Our dealings with state and local officials have uniformly enthusiastic. We look forward to advancing the Coosa Graphite Project in an expedited fashion.”

Dana Durgin, AIPG Certified Professional Geologist #10364 and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and the author of the Technical Report and an independent consultant to the Company, has prepared or supervised the preparation of the information that forms the basis for the scientific and technical information contained in this press release.

In addition, further to the Company’s news release of August 31, 2012, the Company advises that it issued a total of 2,696,664 common shares (and not 2,696,667 common shares) pursuant to the private placement that closed on August 31, 2012.

About Alabama Graphite:

Alabama Graphite Corp., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Alabama Graphite Company, Inc., is a graphite exploration and development company whose flagship project “The Coosa Graphite Project” in Coosa County, Alabama is located in an area with significant historical production of crystalline flake graphite. For further details go to www.alabamagraphite.co .

ALABAMA GRAPHITE CORP.

Daniel Spine, President & CEO: (404) 661-6254

Investor Relations:

Bobby Mullins: (647) 341-7465 or (416) 317-4538

[email protected]

THE CANADIAN NATIONAL STOCK EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Forward-looking information

This release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including predictions, projections and forecasts. Forward-looking information includes, but are not limited to, statements that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such things as the planned exploration work allowing for a focus of subsequent exploration efforts on the most favourable areas and the definition of drilling targets.

Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “planning”, “planned”, “expects” or “looking forward”, “does not expect”, “continues”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “potential”, “anticipates”, “does not anticipate” or “belief” or describes a “goal” or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking information is based on a number of material factors and assumptions, including the result of exploration activities, that contracted parties provide goods and/or services on the agreed timeframes, that equipment necessary for exploration is available as scheduled and does not incur unforeseen breakdowns, that no labour shortages or delays are incurred, that plant and equipment function as specified, that no unusual geological or technical problems occur, and that laboratory and other related services are available and perform as contracted. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of graphite; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the failure of contracted parties to perform; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company’s publicly filed documents. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

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Projects in the Pipeline: Canada surges as flake tops graphite wish list September 2012

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:05 AM on Sunday, September 2nd, 2012

Canada is leading the world in the hunt for new graphite supply. The boom in the exploration-friendly province of Quebec has spearheaded the drive after investors became hooked on graphite’s anode role in electric vehicle batteries.

Canada is leading the world in the hunt for new graphite supply. The boom in the exploration-friendly province of Quebec has spearheaded the drive after investors became hooked on graphite’s anode role in electric vehicle batteries.

The timing coincided with the graphite supply squeeze of 2011, which effectively doubled prices, forcing high-quality +80 mesh, 94-97% carbon flake over $2,000/tonne. The story and industry dynamics were attractive to newcomers and independent and retail investors resulting in a flood of new companies.

The number of active companies in the sector has surged since mid-2011. The number of projects in mid-July stood at 110. All of these are flake graphite projects, except for one located in central-Ontario and operated by Zenyatta Ventures Ltd, which is the Albany vein graphite deposit, similar to that found in Sri Lanka.

Click here to read article in its entirety.

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Omagine Climbs 10.83% On Anticipation Of Oman Real Estate Deal

Posted by AGORACOM at 1:04 PM on Saturday, September 1st, 2012

On August 7th, Omagine (OMAG:OTCBB) filed a 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2012 outlining – amongst other things – the results of a recent meeting with the Minister of Tourism.

In the filing, the company stated:

Representatives of the shareholders of Omagine LLC (the Company, Royal Court Affairs, and Consolidated Contractors) met on July 1, 2012 for several hours with His Excellency Ahmed Al-Mahrizi and a lawyer for MOT …

… The meeting concluded with the Minister confirming that he is in agreement with and enthusiastic about the development of the Omagine Project. He also stated that he was entirely satisfied with our project presentation, that he agreed it will be a wonderful project for Oman, that he was completely satisfied with our response to his May 9th Minister’s Letter and that he is agreeable to sign the DA as soon as possible …

… The Holy Month of Ramadan extends from approximately July 20 to August 20 and is immediately followed by the EID holiday celebration (which in Oman is expected to extend through August 31). Her Excellency Maitha returns on July 26. It is management’s expectation that while we may sign the DA in August, given the occurrence of Ramadan and the EID holiday, the DA signing could be postponed into September or even October 2012. Management is optimistic that the Government will soon memorialize its agreement to the Final DA in a signed written document.

With Ramadan completed on August 18th, investors now appear to be anticipating signing of the Development Agreement as shares of the company closed at $1.74 on Friday with higher than usual volume. The shares closed 10.83% higher on the day and 40% higher from the August low of $1.25.

The Company’s updated financial model presently forecasts net positive cash flows for Omagine LLC of approximately $900 million dollars over the seven year period subsequent to the signing of the Development Agreement, with a net present value of the Omagine Project of approximately $450 million dollars.

With 14.3 Million shares outstanding, the current market capitalization of the company sits at $25 Million.

For those of you that are new to the Omagine story, please find enclosed the following profile.  Omagine is an AGORACOM client:

The Omagine Project

The Company has proposed to the Government of Oman (the “Government”) the development of a real-estate and tourism project (the “Omagine Project”) to be developed in Oman by Omagine LLC (the “Project Company”). Omagine LLC was formed in Oman as a limited liability company in 2009 for the purpose of designing, developing, owning and operating the entire Omagine Project.

The Omagine Project is planned to be developed on one million square meters (equal to approximately 245 acres) of beachfront land facing the Gulf of Oman (the “Omagine Site”) just west of the capital city of Muscat and approximately six miles from Muscat International Airport. It is presently planned to be an integration of cultural, heritage, educational, entertainment and residential components, including: a “high culture” theme park containing seven pearl shaped buildings, each approximately 60 feet in diameter, associated exhibition buildings, a boardwalk, an open air amphitheater and stage; open space green areas; a canal and an enclosed harbor and marina area; associated retail shops and restaurants, entertainment venues, boat slips, and docking facilities; a five-star resort hotel, a four-star resort hotel and possibly a three or four-star hotel; commercial office buildings; shopping and retail establishments integrated with the hotels, and approximately two thousand residences to be developed for sale.

The Company’s updated financial model presently forecasts net positive cash flows for Omagine LLC of approximately $900 million dollars over the seven year period subsequent to the signing of the Development Agreement with a net present value of the Omagine Project of approximately $450 million dollars. The Company intends to continually update this model at regular intervals as new facts and information become available, as the development program and design process unfolds and as market conditions require.

Development Agreement

The agreement between the Government and Omagine LLC which will govern the design, development, construction, management and ownership of the Omagine Project is the “Development Agreement” (“DA”). The DA will be the contract between the Government of Oman and Omagine LLC. The Development Agreement has now been approved by all the required Ministries of the Government of Oman.

The Omagine Project and the Omagine DA have received multiple Government approvals over the past several years including at least three written approvals of the project from the Government. In July 2011, after many drafts and several years of negotiations, the Omagine Development Agreement was agreed by Omagine LLC and all required ministries of the Government (the “Final DA”). In September 2011, as requested by the Ministry of Tourism (“MOT”), Omagine LLC registered its new shareholders (see “Shareholder Agreement” below) with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and, to the best knowledge and belief of the Company and its attorneys, no further barrier to signing the Final DA now exists.

A new Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Mahrizi, was appointed on March 1, 2012. Representatives of the shareholders of Omagine LLC (the Company, Royal Court Affairs, and Consolidated Contractors) met on July 1, 2012 for several hours with His Excellency Ahmed Al-Mahrizi and a lawyer for MOT.

The meeting concluded with the Minister confirming that he is in agreement with and enthusiastic about the development of the Omagine Project. He also stated that he was entirely satisfied with our project presentation, that he agreed it will be a wonderful project for Oman, that he is agreeable to sign the DA as soon as possible.

The Shareholder Agreement

In May 2011, Omagine, Inc. and three (3) investors (the “New Shareholders”) signed a shareholders’ agreement dated as of April 20, 2011 with respect to Omagine LLC (the “Shareholder Agreement”).

The Office of Royal Court Affairs (“RCA”), is an Omani organization representing the personal interests of His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the ruler of Oman. Consolidated Contractors International Company, SAL, (“CCIC”) is a 60 year old Lebanese multi-national company headquartered in Athens, Greece. In 2010 CCIC had approximately five and one-half (5.5) billion dollars in annual revenue, one hundred twenty thousand (120,000) employees worldwide, and operating subsidiaries in among other places, every country in the MENA Region. Consolidated Contracting Company S.A. (“CCC-Panama”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of CCIC and is its investment arm. Consolidated Contractors (Oman) Company LLC, (“CCC-Oman”) is an Omani construction company with approximately 13,000 employees in Oman and is CCIC’s operating subsidiary in Oman.

The New Shareholders are (i) RCA, (ii) CCC-Panama and (iii) CCC-Oman.

The ownership percentages of Omagine LLC presently are:

Omagine, Inc.60%

RCA25%

CCC-Panama10%

CCC-Oman5%

Pursuant to the provisions of the Shareholder Agreement, the total amount of cash investment into Omagine LLC by Omagine, Inc. and the New Shareholders will be $70,169,125 and although Omagine, Inc. and the New Shareholders will invest an aggregate of $936,000 of that $70,169,125 before the Financing Agreement Date, 98.7% of such $70,169,125 equal to $69,233,125 (the “Cash Infusion”) will not be invested by the New Shareholders or received by Omagine LLC until the Financing Agreement Date.

The Shareholder Agreement also recognizes the PIK capital contribution to be made by RCA to Omagine LLC as a portion of the payment by RCA for its shares of Omagine LLC. The PIK represents the value to be ultimately assigned to the approximately 245 acres of beachfront land constituting the Omagine Site which His Majesty the Sultan owned and transferred to the Government for the specific purpose of developing it into the Omagine Project. After the DA is signed, the value of the PIK will be determined by a professional valuation expert in accordance with Omani law and with the concurrence of Omagine LLC’s independent auditor, Deloitte & Touche, (M.E.) & Co. LLC.

The Financing Agreement Date is presently projected by management to occur within twelve months after the signing of the DA. If however the financial resources are available to Omagine, Inc., management may choose to trigger the Financing Agreement Date earlier (and therefore the $69,233,125 Cash Infusion) by having Omagine, Inc. make a secured loan to Omagine LLC to finance the first phase of the development of the Omagine Project. The first phase of the development of the Omagine Project is expected to constitute primarily initial design work and its scope and budgeted cost will be decided upon by Omagine LLC shortly after the DA is signed. Pursuant to the provisions of the Shareholder Agreement such a loan from Omagine, Inc. to Omagine LLC would constitute a Financing Agreement Date. Management is presently examining several alternative methods of making such financial resources available to Omagine, Inc.

In order to move into the actual design and development stage of the Omagine Project, Omagine LLC and the Government must first sign the Development Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no assurance can be given at this time that the Development Agreement actually will be signed.

Please be advised that the foregoing assumptions and this discussion are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 which involve uncertainties and other factors which could cause the outcomes described herein to differ from future Company achievements as expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

.

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Lomiko Commences Drilling at Quatre Milles East Flake Graphite Property In Quebec

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 12:24 PM on Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

Vancouver BC – LOMIKO METALS INC. (TSX-V:LMR, OTC: LMRMF, FSE: DH8B) (the “Company”) is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced at the Quatre Milles Flake Graphite Property in Quebec. Contractor Forage Val D’Or Inc. has been retained to complete the 1500-1750 metre Phase I drilling program at the Quatre Milles East Property.

The previous drilling by Graphicor at Quatre Milles East indicated a near-surface, road-accessible target which was intersected by multiple drill holes during historic, non-43-101 drilling. The available information has been complied into a NI 43-101 which will be the template for describing a resource if the drilling program is successful.

Lomiko geological consultants Consul-Teck have a budget of $307, 028 for Phase I and a contingent $724,041 for Phase II for work on the property in the technical report dated March 27, 2012.

Lomiko’s drilling will focus on verifying the areas of historical high-grade graphite intersected previously by Graphicor on the property. The historical results are detailed below. It is Lomiko’s goal is to complete both Phase I & II and establish a flake graphite resource at the Quatre Milles Property by December 2012.

Lomiko’s Quatre Milles Graphite Property

The Quatre Milles Property is road accessible and is located approximately 175 km northwest of Montreal and 17 km due north of the village of Sainte-Veronique, Quebec. The property consists of 28 contiguous claims totaling approximately 1,600 hectares.

The property was originally staked and explored by Graphicor Resources Inc. (“Graphicor”) in the summer of 1989 based on the results of a regional helicopter-borne EM survey. The underlying geology consists of intercalated biotite gneiss, biotite feldspar gneiss, marble, quartzite and calc-silicate lithologies of the Central Metasedimentary Belt of the Grenville Province.

Historical Highlights

Graphicor completed reconnaissance mapping and prospecting as well as ground geophysics and a 26 hole diamond drill program totaling 1,625 metres.   The work identified several conductive trends in the central portion of the property and at least three, relatively flat lying graphitic beds.

Three surface samples were collected and analyzed returning results of 14.16% Cgf, 18.06% Cgf and 20.35% Cgf.  23 of the initial 26 drill holes intersected graphite concentrations with graphite concentration in range of 4.69% in hole Q90-1 to a highlight of 8.07% Cgf over 28.60 metres in hole Q90-7. The highest individual assay was reported in hole Q90-10 reporting 15.48% Cgf over 0.50 metres. A table of results from the 43-101 indicates:

 ------------------------------------------
 |HOLE NO.|FROM(M)|TO(M)|WIDTH (M)|GRADE  |
 |        |       |     |         |(% CGP)|
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-1   |8.94   |10.46|1.52     |7.33   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-2   |28.68  |30.13|1.45     |10.38  |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-3   |16.23  |17.84|1.61     |4.09   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-4   |9.4    |14.1 |4.7      |3.95   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-5   |2      |3.90 |1.90     |2.07   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-5   |22.13  |23.25|1.12     |10.52  |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-6   |32.54  |41.19|8.65     |8.07   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-6   |43.47  |44.05|0.98     |3.87   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-7   |3.94   |32.54|28.60    |8.07   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-8   |1.54   |2.16 |0.62     |14.89  |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-8   |5.23   |8.05 |2.82     |7.45   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-9   |2.05   |3.10 |1.05     |8.47   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-9   |5.76   |6.8  |1.04     |10.86  |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-10  |2.14   |5.54 |3.40     |8.02   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-10  |7.03   |7.61 |0.58     |10.59  |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-10  |8.53   |9.03 |0.50     |15.48  |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-10  |9.27   |11.24|1.97     |12.37  |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-10  |14.16  |15.46|1.30     |4.26   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-11  |26.82  |34.02|7.20     |4.63   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-12  |0.94   |8.53 |7.59     |8.60   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-12  |38.16  |43.61|5.45     |3.79   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-13  |0.69   |10.28|9.59     |4.64   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-13  |40.95  |43.14|2.19     |3.82   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-14  |5.56   |7.22 |1.66     |8.12   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-15  |2.21   |5.59 |3.38     |9.76   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-16  |       |     |         |NSV    |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-17  |15.48  |18.63|3.15     |8.11   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-17  |21.43  |23.67|2.24     |13.29  |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-17  |36.77  |47.97|11.20    |5.88   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-17  |57.15  |58.21|1.06     |9.53   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-17  |59.54  |69.82|10.28    |5.99   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-18  |10.68  |12.90|2.22     |8.12   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-19  |47.80  |49.25|1.45     |9.16   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-19  |50.42  |58.49|8.07     |5.72   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-20  |13.51  |16.98|3.47     |5.81   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-21  |2.80   |4.98 |2.18     |5.56   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-22  |17.37  |20.04|2.67     |2.58   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-23  |       |     |         |NSV    |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-24  |1.78   |4.14 |2.36     |3.77   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-24  |12.32  |13.09|0.77     |4.20   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-24  |16.86  |18.66|1.80     |4.96   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-25  |19.69  |21.24|1.55     |3.67   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-25  |25.27  |26.65|1.38     |9.66   |
 |----------------------------------------|
 |Q90-26  |       |     |         |NSV    |
 ------------------------------------------

The Company cautions that it has not had the chance to verify the quality and accuracy of the historic sampling and drilling results reported in this news release which predate the introduction of NI 43-101 and cautions readers not to rely upon them. The historic figures were generated from sources believed to be reliable, however, they have not been confirmed. Although the sampling and drilling results are relevant, they have not been verified.

Graphite Market

-The price for flake graphite is $ 2000-$4000 per tonne depending on flake size and grade.

-Graphite prices have been increasing in recent months and over the last couple of years prices for large flake, high purity graphite (+80 mesh, 94-97%C) have more than doubled.

-Graphite prices have almost tripled since 2005 due to the ongoing industrialization of China, India and other emerging economies and resultant strong demand from traditional steel and automotive markets.

-Demand for graphite is expected to rise as electric vehicles and lithium battery technology are adopted, nuclear reactors are built in China, and if fuel cells and graphene patents become products.

-China, which produces about 70 per cent of the world’s graphite, is seeing production and export growth leveling, and export taxes and a licensing system have been instituted.

-Europe and the USA have both indicated graphite is of economic importance and has a supply risk (Critical Raw Materials for the EU, July 2010).

Graphite Facts

-Natural graphite comes in several forms: flake, vein, amorphous and lump.

-Southwestern Quebec is host to some of the most favorable geological terrain for graphite exploration in Canada and is known to host graphite resources, including the nearby Lac Des Iles mine operated by Timcal.

-Graphite has many important new applications such as lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, and nuclear and solar power that have the potential to create significant incremental demand growth.

-There is roughly 20-30 times more graphite by weight needed to produce a lithium-ion battery than there is lithium.

-Of the 1.2 million tonnes of graphite produced annually, approximately 40 per cent is of the most desirable flake type.

-High-growth, high-value graphite applications require large-flake and high-purity graphite which is the prime exploration and development target at the Quatre Milles Property.

Near-Term Strategy

Lomiko plans to mount an aggressive exploration campaign on the Quatre Milles Graphite Property commencing with a complete compilation of historic geologic work followed by surface mapping, prospecting and follow-up diamond drilling.

Jean-Sebastien Lavallée (OGQ #773), geologist, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this release.

For more information, review the website at www.lomiko.com, contact

A. Paul Gill at 604-729-5312 or email: [email protected]

On Behalf of the Board

“A. Paul Gill”

Chief Executive Officer

We seek safe harbor. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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Northern Graphite a step closer to commercial production

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:46 AM on Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Canadian graphite project developer Northern Graphite this week filed a bankable feasibility study (BFS) for its Bissett Creek graphite deposit, in eastern Ontario, confirming the project’s financial returns sufficient to justify the investment.

The BFS found that Bissett Creek’s production level, when compared with the total market, should enable its successful introduction in the supply of large and extra-large graphite flake products, without impacting the supply-demand relationship and resulting prices, allowing the company to take full advantage of the expected constrained graphite supply dynamic of the current market.

Graphite demand and prices have increased substantially over the past few years as a result of the ongoing modernisation of China and other emerging economies, which has resulted in strong demand from traditional steel and automotive markets. New applications such as lithium-ion batteries, vanadium-redox batteries, fuel cells and nuclear power have the potential to significantly increase demand for the allotrope of carbon.

Northern Graphite said China currently produced about 70% of the world’s graphite and an export tax and a licensing system had been instituted to restrict exports and encourage value-added processing in China. Recently, more legislation was introduced which would make it increasingly difficult to construct new graphite mines in China.

Existing Chinese production was also expected to decline owing to the effects of many years of high grading, the consolidation or elimination of smaller producers, and improvements in labour and environmental standards.

“The recent proposals on new mines are the third major graphite supply-related announcement out of China this year and follow calls for rare-earth-element-type protection from the largest Chinese graphite producer, and the formation of a State-owned amorphous graphite monopoly.

“As a result of the supply-demand situation for graphite, both the European Union and the US have declared graphite a supply critical mineral,” CEO Gregory Bowes said in a statement.

However an analyst told Mining Weekly Online that large economic deposits are rare and right now, most operating mines in North America are small. “We could see the need for 30 to 40 new graphite mines over the next decade,” the analyst said.

FAVOURABLE ECONOMICS

Mining Weekly Online in May reported that Northern Graphite found itself among a handful of miners developing a high-quality graphite project, scheduled for production within the next year or so. The miner planned to open its Bissett Creek project, one of the first new graphite mines to open outside China since the 1990s, by the end of 2013.

The proposed development of the project entails the construction of an openpit mine and a 2 500 t/d processing plant. It would consist of conventional crushing, grinding and flotation circuits, followed by concentrate drying and screening and is based on proven methods and equipment that are widely used in the mineral industry.

The Ottawa-based company planned to build a natural gas pipeline to the site from the main TransCanada pipeline, about 15 km away, to fuel five 1 MW generators that would produce electrical power. Waste heat from the generators would be used to dry the concentrate, resulting in low overall energy costs of $0.079/kWh.

About 97% of the tailings will be non-acid generating.

Over the first five full years of operation a total of 4.2-million tons of ore would be processed at an average head grade of 2.22% graphite to produce an average of 18 600 t of graphite concentrate at 94.5% graphite a year.

About 80% of production would be +80 mesh large flake and half would be XL (+50 mesh) and XXL (+32 mesh) flake.

Cash operating costs will average C$851/t of concentrate over the first five years. Capital costs are estimated at $102.9-million, including a $9.4-million contingency, but excluding any financial assurance relating to reclamation obligations.

Among Northern Graphite’s peers counted Ontario Graphite who was also developing a graphite mine at its Kearney deposit, located in the same region as Northern Graphite’s Bisset Creek, and the Almenara graphite project, being undertaken by Magnesita, an unlisted company in Brazil.

The company’s TSX-V-listed stock traded 5.36% lower at C$1.06 apiece on Tuesday afternoon.

Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter
Source: http://www.miningweekly.com/article/northern-graphite-a-step-closer-to-commercial-production-2012-08-28

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