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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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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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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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Focus Graphite and SOQUEM Commence Their 2012 Kwyjibo Exploration Program-4,000m Drilling Planned

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 5:01 PM on Tuesday, August 28th, 2012

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Aug. 28, 2012) – Focus Graphite Inc. (“Focus” or the “Company”) (TSX VENTURE:FMS)(OTCQX:FCSMF)(FRANKFURT:FKC) and partner SOQUEM Inc. (“SOQUEM”) are pleased to announce the start of their 2012 exploration program at the Kwyjibo Polymetallic Property (the “Property”), located in the Grenville geological region of northeastern Québec.

Some 4,000 meters of exploration drilling is planned with the aim of validating grades, thickness and continuity of the REE-Fe-Cu mineralization in the vicinity of the Josette horizon, where the best drilling intersections were obtained in 2011 such as;

  • Hole 10885-11-57; 2.40% TREO over 48.8 m
  • Hole 10885-11-60; 3.61% TREO over 33.1 m

The Company intends to incorporate the results of the 2012 exploration program into a National Instrument 43-101 compliant resource estimate at the end of the program.

Other work on the property includes line cutting, ground time-domain electromagnetic (TDEM) geophysical surveying, a borehole Pulse-EM survey, and a metallurgical sampling and testing program on different showings.

“Focus Graphite and SOQUEM believe we have made remarkable progress during the last two years at Kwyjibo,” said Focus Graphite President and CEO Gary Economo.

“The indication of higher value heavy rare earths leads us to believe this year’s exploration program will clear the way for subsequent, expanded drilling at key targets at Kwyjibo,” Mr. Economo said.

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

Property Location

The Kwyjibo polymetallic Iron-Rare Earth Elements-Copper-(Gold) (Fe-REE-Cu-(Au)) property, totalling 118 mining titles and covering 6,278 hectares, is located several kilometers north of Manitou Lake and 125 km northeast of Sept-Îles, in the Côte-Nord administrative district of Québec. The property is also located 25 km east of the Québec North Shore and Labrador railway line and is accessible by air from Sept-Îles.

Terms of the Agreement

On August 3, 2010, the Company announced the signing of an option agreement with SOQUEM Inc. to acquire a 50% interest in the Kwyjibo property.

Under the terms of the agreement, Focus may acquire a 50% interest in the Kwyjibo property, by spending up to $3 million in exploration work on the property over a period of 5 years of which $1 million must be spent during the first 2 years.

SOQUEM will act as the operator for all exploration work carried out on the property for the first two years of the option period or until the first $1 million in exploration work expenditures have been spent. Focus will then have the option to become operator by paying $50,000 in cash or issuing a block of common shares valued at $50,000.

As of July 31, 2012, Focus has spent approximately $2.98 million on the Kwyjibo project.

About Focus Graphite Inc.

Focus Graphite Inc. is an emerging mid-tier junior mining company, a technology solution supplier and a business innovator. It is the owner of one of the highest-grade (16%) technology graphite resources in the world. The company’s goal is to assume a dominant industry leadership position by becoming the lowest-cost producer of technology-grade graphite. As a technology-orientated 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.

About SOQUEM

SOQUEM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ressources Québec. Ressources Québec, a new Investissement Québec subsidiary, specializing in the mining and hydrocarbon industries; it will consolidate and spur government investment in projects carried out by mining companies and the hydrocarbon sector.

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.

 

Source: Marketwire Canada (August 28, 2012 – 4:00 PM EDT)News by QuoteMedia
www.quotemedia.com

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Donner Metals: President’s Message to Shareholders

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:23 AM on Tuesday, August 28th, 2012

   Donner Metals: President’s Message to Shareholders
Message du président aux actionnaires

Donner Metals: Message du président aux actionnaires

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Northern Graphite Files Bankable Feasibility Study

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 1:52 PM on Monday, August 27th, 2012

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Aug. 27, 2012) – Northern Graphite Corporation (TSX VENTURE:NGC)(OTCQX:NGPHF) is pleased to announce that the bankable feasibility study (“FS”) for its 100% owned Bissett Creek graphite deposit has been filed on SEDAR and is available on the Company’s website. The FS was prepared by GMining Services Inc. with contributions from SGS Canada Inc. (Lakefield-metallurgy), Geostat-resource modelling), Knight Piesold Ltd. (environmental, permitting, tailings management and road infrastructure) and Met-Chem Canada Inc.(process engineering).

The FS concludes that “based on all the engineering studies, cost estimates, price scenarios and economic analyses performed as part of this Feasibility Study, we believe that the financial returns are sufficiently robust to justify the required investment to bring the Bissett Creek Project to commercial production. Its production level, when compared to 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. When well established as a reliable supplier of quality products, Northern Graphite should be in excellent position to pursue a production expansion on the basis of its large resources at Bissett Creek.”

Gregory Bowes, CEO, stated that “There are very few development stage graphite companies and Northern is the only one that has disclosed complete independent, bankable feasibility level confirmation of reserves and resources, capital and operating costs, metallurgy, flake size distribution, carbon content of concentrates, etc.” He added that “While economies in the US, European and Chinese have slowed, the FS has identified a number of immediate, low risk opportunities to increase production and further reduce costs which we believe will offset the effect of softer graphite prices.”

Project Description

The proposed development of the Bissett Creek graphite deposit includes the construction of an open pit mine and a 2,500tpd processing plant. The processing plant will 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 Company plans to build a natural gas pipeline to the site from the main Trans Canada line, approximately 15 kms away, to fuel five 1.0 MW-generators that will produce electrical power. Waste heat from the generators will be used to dry the concentrate resulting in low overall energy costs of $0.079/kWh. Infrastructure includes upgrading the last 5 kms of access road, site preparation, and tailings facilities. Approximately 97% of the tailings will be non-acid generating.

Over the first five full years of operation a total of 4.2 million tonnes of ore will be processed at an average head grade of 2.22% Cg to produce an average of 18,600 tonnes of graphite concentrate at 94.5% Cg per year. Approximately 80% of production will be +80 mesh large flake and 50% will be XL (+50 mesh) and XXL (+32 mesh) flake. Cash operating costs will average CDN$851 per tonne 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. The FS does not include any upgrading to value added products such as spherical graphite for Li ion batteries which sell for significantly higher prices than those used in the FS.

Project Opportunities

The FS has identified a number of significant, low risk opportunities to further enhance project returns including upgrading some inferred resources to indicated, both within and outside the proposed pit, which will increase the grade and production, and further reduce operating costs. In addition, actual graphite production from the pilot plant was approximately 4% higher, and graphite production from eight locked cycle tests was approximately 12% higher, than assayed head grades indicating that the reserve grade is conservative and potentially understated. The Company is planning a review of assay procedures to identify the reasons for the understatement. The Company’s objective is to achieve operating costs of less than $800/tonne.

Qualified Persons

The FS was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 standards by G Mining Services Inc. Louis Gignac, ing., Nicolas Menard, ing., Antoine Champagne, ing., Ahmed Bouajila, ing., Robert Menard, ing., and Robert Marchand, ing. are the independent “qualified persons” under NI 43-101 who were responsible for preparing the FS on behalf of GMining Services Inc.

This press release has been reviewed and approved by Don Baxter, P.Eng, President of the Company and a non- independent “Qualified Person” under NI 43-101.

The Graphite Market

Graphite demand and prices have increased substantially over the past few years due to the ongoing modernization of China and other emerging economies which has resulted in strong demand from traditional steel and automotive markets. In addition, new applications such as lithium ion batteries, vanadium redox batteries, fuel cells and nuclear power have the potential to create significant incremental demand growth.

China currently produces 70% of the world’s graphite and an export tax and a licensing system have been instituted to restrict exports and encourage value added processing in China. Recently the Chinese government has proposed a set of new rules relating to the size, operational performance, quality and environmental standards for new graphite mines which will make them much more difficult to build. Also, existing Chinese production is expected to decline due to the effects of many years of high grading, the consolidation or elimination of smaller producers, and improvements in labor 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 REE 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 United States have declared graphite a supply critical mineral.

Northern Graphite Corporation

Northern Graphite Corporation is a Canadian company that has a 100% interest in the Bissett Creek graphite deposit located in eastern Ontario. Northern has established itself as an industry leader with a large flake, high purity, scalable deposit that is located close to infrastructure and has very competitive operating costs. Additional information is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company’s website at www.northerngraphite.com

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of statements that include words such as “could”, “potential”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”, “likely”, “will” or other similar words or phrases. These statements are only current predictions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Northern Graphite Corporation
Gregory Bowes
CEO
(613) 241-9959

Northern Graphite Corporation
Don Baxter P.Eng
President
(705) 789-9706

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Graphene Could Make Artificial Photosynthesis More Efficient

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:28 AM on Monday, August 27th, 2012

Wonder material graphene keeps surprising researchers with its seemingly limitless power. One of the newest applications for graphene, derived from graphite, is its use as an efficient photocatalyst — a chemical substance or material that accelerates a chemical reaction without being used itself.

In science education, we learned that the well-known photocatalyst chlorophyll captures light and aids photosynthesis, a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy used to fuel the organism’s activities.

A team of scientists from the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology have demonstrated that graphene may be able to improve the efficiency of artificial photosynthesis systems by serving as a photocatalyst.

That’s important because artificial photosynthesis systems could potentially produce renewable, non-polluting fuels and chemicals for a wide variety of uses. And until now, producing a solar-to-fuel conversion process has been both challenging and expensive.

Previous studies have experimented with graphene-semiconductor composites such as photocatalysts, but their efficiency was low. The new study used graphene by itself as a photocatalyst, which the researchers then coupled to a porphyrin enzyme.

“The researchers demonstrated that this material could convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into formic acid, a chemical that is used in the plastic industry and as fuel in fuel cells,” a report on the study states. “Tests showed that the graphene-based photocatalyst is highly functional in the visible light regime, and that its overall efficiency is significantly higher than the efficiencies of other photocatalysts.”

Jin-Ook Baeg, one of the researchers and a co-author of the study, said in an interview, “[t]he photocatalyst-enzyme coupled system is one of the most ideal artificial photosynthesis systems that utilize solar energy for the synthesis of various chemicals and fuel.”

Baeg added that the ability to produce solar fuel directly from carbon dioxide has applications related not only to fuel cells and plastics, but also to the pharmaceutical industry.

“As one of the strong practical merits of the system, it also can be used for the production of tailor-made fine chemicals using solar light energy,” Baeg said. “For example, chiral 2-amino-1-arylethanol derivatives are a very important intermediate of many kinds of very expensive chiral drugs. It can be easily synthesized by our photocatalyst-enzyme coupled artificial photosynthesis system simply using solar light energy.”

The hype about graphene and its applications — from desalinating sea water to telecoms to transistors to health — is gaining ground on a daily basis. But the reality is that the material — a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon that is many times stronger than steel and is a good conductor of heat and electricity — is still expensive to make and thus is currently used only in laboratories.

Focus Metals (TSXV:FMS), a diversified Canadian miner, has asserted that Grafoid, its 40 percent partner, is working on a process that will make graphene prices come down. Another miner, Northern Graphite (TSXV:NGC,OTCQX:NGPHF), said this year that it will supply extra-large-flake graphite to Grafen Chemical Industries, with which it also has a deal to develop intellectual property rights regarding graphene application.

In the meantime, a scientist working at the Nano Application Centre in Allahabad, India has synthesized graphene in the laboratory using a new, simple, cheap and time-saving method, Times of India reported, without giving any details on how he produced graphene or what the price implications are.

Source: http://resourceinvestingnews.com/42037-graphene-could-make-artificial-photosynthesis-more-efficient.html

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