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Focus Metals Changes Its Name to Focus Graphite Inc.

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 4:15 PM on Thursday, May 24th, 2012

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(May 24, 2012) – Focus Metals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:FMS)(OTCQX:FCSMF)(FRANKFURT:FKC) (the “Corporation”) is pleased to announce that following the approval of a special resolution by the Corporation’s shareholders at the annual and special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation held on May 3rd, 2012 in Ottawa, Ontario, the Corporation has changed its name and will now trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”) under the name “Focus Graphite Inc.” as of May 25, 2012. The Corporation will continue trading on the Exchange under the stock symbol “FMS”.

Focus Graphite President and CEO Gary Economo said the change in corporate identity represents a truer description of the company’s core business activities.

“Focus Graphite represents a turning point for us and for our shareholders as we prepare to transition out of pre-development at Lac Knife and into development during the course of the coming year to 18 months” Mr. Economo said.

“Our aim is to develop and then manufacture the best technology graphite in the world,” he said. “Additional shareholder value will come from our investment in commercialized graphene through our joint venture partner, Grafoid Inc.”

On May 7, 2012, Focus Metals Inc. and Hydro-Québec’s world-leading research institute, IREQ, announced the signing of a licensing agreement enabling the development of a graphite purification facility and a graphite anode production facility for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.

Mr. Economo said the agreement provided a critical pillar in building Focus Graphite’s mine-to-end-user supply chain structure.

About Focus Graphite

Focus Graphite Inc. is an emerging mid-tier junior mining company, a technology solution supplier and a business innovator. It is the owner 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.

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

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.

Contact Information

 

Gary Economo
President and Chief Executive Officer
613-691-1091,ext. 101
[email protected]

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Flinders drills 13.6m @ 11.8% graphitic carbon at Kringel project in Sweden

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:04 AM on Thursday, May 24th, 2012

VANCOUVER, May 24, 2012  – Flinders Resources Limited (“Flinders”) (TSXV:FDR). Mr. Martin McFarlane, President & CEO, is pleased to announce the results from the first 10 holes of a 37 drill hole program at the Kringel deposit in Sweden.  Results include 13.6m @ 11.8% graphitic carbon (“Cg”) from 49m in drill hole KRI12DD003 and 18.3m @ 7.6% Cg from 68.1m in drill hole KRI12DD007.

The aims of the drill program are to reclassify the historic graphite resources estimates to current NI 43-101 standards and test for extensions of the deposit below 50 metres and along strike.  To date 25 drill holes for 2437 metres have been completed.   It is anticipated that the drill program will be completed by mid June 2012, with the resources calculation to be completed around the end of July 2012.

Mr McFarlane states: “Our drilling has met or exceeded all expectations.  We have verified that graphite mineralization shows continuity of width and grade along strike and down dip and is consistent with historical data.  Additionally, drilling has extended known mineralization to 100 metres depth and new graphite zones have been identified parallel to and down dip from known mineralization.  This provides a great opportunity to potentially scale up future production from the Kringel mine site area, in order to meet growing demand for high purity flake graphite.”

A summary of all graphite intercepts greater than 5 metres in width is shown below in Table 1. In addition multiple graphite intercepts of less than 5 metres in width have also been recorded but are not reported here. A plan showing the Kringel mine lease, historic drilling and the location of the current program is shown in Figure 1, cross sections of the Kringel graphite deposit are shown in Figures 2 and 3 while Figure 4 shows the location of these sections.

The Kringel Graphite Project was the subject of substantial drilling by previous owners, and has an historic resource estimate of 6.9 million tonnes containing 8.8% graphite in 4 separate deposits.  Historic resources at the Kringel mine site are 1.3 million tonnes @ 11.3% graphite. The historical resource estimates quoted are based on a NI43-101 report prepared by Albert Thamm of Coffey Mining in November 2011 which is available on SEDAR. The historic resource was calculated using a polygonal method and is broadly similar to CIM definitions “Indicated” and “Inferred”. Data is historical in nature and was compiled prior to the implementation of NI 43-101 reporting standards. Flinders has not completed sufficient exploration to verify the estimates. Flinders is not treating them as National Instrument defined resources or reserves verified by a Qualified Person, and the historical estimate should not be relied upon. The Company does not have, and is not aware of, any more recent resource estimates that conform to the standards set out in National Instrument 43-101.

The qualified person for the Kringel project is Mr. Geoff Reed, a consultant to Flinders Resources Limited and Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (CP), has reviewed and verified the contents of this release. Assaying was completed by ALS Chemex in their Vancouver Laboratory.  The technique used for determining graphitic carbon was Leco Direct combustion and infrared absorption, ALS Chemex method code C-IR06. Drill holes were sampled over 1 metre intervals.   Duplicates, repeats and blanks were inserted according to standard industry practice. It is interpreted that reported drill hole intercepts approximate the true width of mineralization.

On behalf of the Board

“Martin McFarlane”
Martin McFarlane, President and CEO

Certain information set out in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based upon the opinions and expectations of management of the Company as at the effective date of such statements and, in certain cases, information provided or disseminated by third parties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this document, and the assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are made, are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements included in this document, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. These statements are made as at the date hereof and unless otherwise required by law, the Company does not intend, or assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.

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.

 

Table 1: Summary of graphite intercepts greater than 5m wide

Hole ID Graphitic
Carbon (%)		 Width (m) From
Depth (m)
KRI12DD001 10.7 6.2 9.2
KRI12DD001 4.9 7.0 31.1
KRI12DD002 7.6 12.6 41.2
KRI12DD002 5.2 13.0 59.8
KRI12DD007 7.6 18.3 68.1
KRI12DD007 8.7 5.0 90.5
KRI12DD003 11.8 13.6 49.0
KRI12DD003 9.5 11.3 89.5
KRI12DD003 5.1 7.2 100.8
KRI12DD006 7.9 15.8 88.7
KRI12DD006 7.6 15.3 106.5
KRI12DD008 9.3 9.4 59.8
KRI12DD009 8.9 14.0 43.8
KRI12DD010 8.2 14.3 35.2

 

 

 

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/05/24/20120524_C2308_DOC_EN_14129.pdf

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/05/24/20120524_C2308_DOC_EN_14130.pdf

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/05/24/20120524_C2308_DOC_EN_14131.pdf

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/05/24/20120524_C2308_DOC_EN_14132.pdf

For further information:Jim Powell +1 647-478-5806
[email protected]

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Galaxy Capital Corp. Acquires Laurier Graphite Property in Ontario

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 1:38 PM on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(May 23, 2012) – Galaxy Capital Corp. (TSX VENTURE:GXY) (the “Company” or “Galaxy”) is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to acquire a 100-per-cent interest in the Laurier Graphite Property, Ontario.

Laurier Graphite Property

The Laurier Graphite property is located in Laurier Township, ON, approximately 40 km SSE of North Bay, ON. The property is located in the highly prospective Central Metasedimentary Belt of the Grenville geological province, host to many active graphite projects. The host rocks for the target zone are graphitic paragneisses. The property properties cover a total of approximately 2300 hectares on 46 mining claims.

The property was described in Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) Open File Report 5649, published in 1987. The report is entitled “Graphite in the Central Gneiss Belt of the Grenville Province in Ontario.” The property has road access from Highway 11, which is 5 km to the west. The report describes four graphite occurrences, two of which are currently being prepared for production. These are referred to in the report as Butt Township (which is the Kearney Mine) and Maria Township (the Bissett Creek deposit).

Work performed on the Laurier property by the OGS described N-S trending graphitic schist units varying from 25 to 250m in width with 1.0mm (16 mesh) graphite flakes disseminated throughout. In addition, a 1-2m wide vein of massive graphite was reported.

The Company cautions that it has not verified the quality and accuracy of the historic data reported in this news release, which predate the introduction of National Instrument 43-101 and cautions readers not to rely upon them. The historic information was generated from the OGS report cited above. This source is believed to be reliable; however, it has not been confirmed by the company’s Qualified Person.

A field program, consisting of ground geophysics (VLF/Mag), prospecting, mapping and sampling, is planned for June 2012.

Chris Healey, President of Galaxy commented, “With this acquisition, along with the Sun and Buckingham graphite properties previously announced, Galaxy now has an excellent portfolio of quality graphite projects. With the recently closed financing, Galaxy is in a position to aggressively explore these projects starting in the coming weeks and to expedite them to an advanced stage.”

Update on Other Properties

SUN Property, NW of Baie-Comeau: field work on this property is expected to commence in late May, consisting of mapping, prospecting and sampling, to define drill targets. This will be followed by a 3000 metre summer diamond drill program.

Buckingham, East of Ottawa: Field work will commence in late May with a helicopter-borne EM/Mag survey, followed immediately by ground follow-up.

Terms

Galaxy has an option to earn a 100-per-cent interest in the Laurier Graphite Property, Ontario from Gino Chitaroni by making the following payments and issuing the following common shares to the vendors: i) $10,000 upon signing the letter agreement (paid), ii) $40,000 and 1,000,000 common shares on receipt of the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSX-V”) acceptance of the agreement, iii) and $50,000 and 500,000 common shares twelve months from TSX-V acceptance.

The vendor will retain a 2-per-cent net milling royalty on the property, half of which can be purchased by Galaxy for C$1,000,000 and a further quarter for $500,000.

Chris M. Healey P.Geo, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Chris M. Healey, President and CEO

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.

Contact Information

  • Galaxy Capital Corp.
    Chris M. Healey
    President and CEO
    (604) 921-1810
    (604) 921-1898 (FAX)

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Syrah Resources intersects 288m of graphite at Balama, brings forward target date for maiden Resource

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:29 AM on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012

Syrah Resources (ASX: SYR) has intersected almost 288 metres of high grade graphite mineralisation from surface at its Balama Project in Mozambique, with further exploration upside that the mineralised zone is likely to continue for some depth beyond what has been discovered so far.

Drilling at Balama is reinforcing its high grade nature, with graphite similar in grade to what was previously discovered in overlying trench T5, which averaged 12.7% graphitic carbon.

The first diamond drill hole measured about two thirds of the down dip extent of T5, with the average grade of this portion about 15.7% total graphitic carbon.

The graphite flakes also appear to be predominately coarse to very coarse in size, which is extremely promising as coarse flake graphite generally attracts higher sales prices.

What is important to note here is the entire intersection was graphite bearing, which indicates the widespread nature of the mineralisation.

Importantly, the first diamond hole intersected only a small section of the entire cross section across graphite bearing horizons on Mount Nassilala.

Graphite mineralisation at Balama has been mapped over a strike of greater than 7 kilometres.

To the west, the mineralisation is hosted on Mount Nassilala which rises about 200 metres from the surrounding plains.

Potentially, the entire mountain may consist of graphitic schists as there are no significant exposures of any other type of rock on the entire mountain.

To the east, the graphite wraps around the southern boundary of Mount Coronge, a granite intrusion.

The graphite in this area appears to be quite a higher grade and coarser flake than the graphite on Mount Nassilala.

To the north of the mountains the graphite mineralisation extends underneath the plains based on graphite observed in pits dug into the plains by locals fossicking for tourmaline gemstones.

Due to the cover it is not presently known how far to the north the graphite mineralisation extends.

Balama has already differentiated itself from graphite deposits in Canada, Europe and Australia through its large tonnage potential, high grade and coarse flake size, which is being revealed through exploration and metallurgical work.

Previously announced metallurgical testwork showed that Balama contains medium to coarse grained graphite that can easily be upgraded to a high grade 94%C concentrate at high recoveries.

Further upside to the project is the associated highly anomalous vanadium geochemistry, which is widespread and provides the potential for vanadium credits.

Drilling progress

Syrah has begun drilling the second hole, which has reached a depth of 23.5 metres and has already intersected graphite mineralisation across its entire length.

Visually the graphite appears very similar in grade and flake size to that of the first hole.

First assays from drilling are expected in early July.


Maiden resource

Syrah is estimating a drill rate of around 100 metres per day, which amounts to a one hole every three days.

A reverse circulation rig is also expected to mobilise to site within the next few weeks.

This means Syrah anticipates delivery of a maiden JORC Resource much earlier than the previously anticipated March quarter of 2012.

The company now expects to release an initial resource before the end of 2012.

Strategic Location

The Balama Graphite Project is a 106 square kilometre granted prospecting licence located within in the Cabo Delgado province in the District of Namuno of northern Mozambique.

The project is about 240 kilometres by road west of the port town of Pemba.

Pemba Port is a deepwater container port and is the third largest port in Mozambique.

It is anticipated that that the Balama graphite concentrate will be transported and shipped from Pemba Port.

The project is located close to a water supply, with the Chipembe dam just 14 kilometres to the northeast.

High graphite demand

In the current market, graphite prices have been increasing solidly and demand is outstripping supply.

Prices of coarse flake graphite have risen from around US$600 per tonne to US$3,000 per tonne between 2004 and 2011.

Based on demand and supply fundamentals there appears little chance of graphite returning to its lows and the price of graphite has the potential to rise further.

Demand is being driven by the need for products such as batteries and fuel cells, as well as a new technology called graphene – a one atom thick sheet of carbon that has a number of potential uses in electronics.

Automotive and iron and steel industries are the key end-users of the material.

China produces about 70% of the world’s graphite but is experiencing slowing growth and reserve depletion.

Graphite has recently had quite substantial return to interest from the investment community due to its near-term prospects and long-term growth potential.

Analysis 

Syrah Resources is in the “box seat” with its Balama Graphite Project in Mozambique and potential to host a large, high grade graphite deposit. In light of the progress to date, the valuation of Syrah does not look overly demanding.

Source: http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/43170/syrah-resources-intersects-288m-of-graphite-at-balama-brings-forward-target-date-for-maiden-resource–43170.html

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Beatrix Acquires Five Graphite Occurrences in Ontario

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 5:10 PM on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

MAY 22, 2012 – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Beatrix Ventures Inc. (the “Company” or “Beatrix”) has entered into an option agreement with an arm’s-length exploration and development company pursuant to which Beatrix has been granted an option to acquire a 100-per-cent interest in a portfolio of properties in Ontario containing 5 separate graphite occurrences. Each graphite occurrence has been located through government mapping, and several of the occurrences exhibit significant electromagnetic conductor features according to government geological and airborne survey maps. The portfolio contains 84 units of prospective ground in Ontario (the Savant Lake claims) (five occurrences).

The Savant Lake claim group is located within the Patricia Mining Division, approximately 180 kilometres north of the town of Ignace. The Savant Lake claim group encompasses five historical graphite occurrences located by government geologists (from Ontario Geological Survey Map 2442 Geol. Comp. Series).

Beatrix will commence field visits to the occurrences immediately to ascertain the extent of each of the graphite occurrences.

The terms of the option agreement between Beatrix and the optionor include cumulative cash payments to the optionor over four years totalling $80,000 and the issuance of 150,000 common shares of Beatrix to the optionor over a four-year period. If Beatrix exercises its option to acquire the properties and begins commercial production on any part of the properties, Beatrix shall pay to the optionor a royalty of 2 per cent of the net smelter returns provided, however, that Beatrix shall have the right at any time to purchase from the optionor one-half of the 2-per-cent smelter returns production royalty in consideration for a one-time payment of the sum of $1-million. This transaction is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

The Company’s geologist will immediately review all technical data available and propose an exploration program to evaluate the potential of these graphite claims.

Mike Taylor, P.Geo., a director of Beatrix, is the qualified person responsible for the technical information contained herein as well as the design of technical programs for the properties.

On behalf of:
Beatrix Ventures Inc.

For further information, please contact:

Eugene Beukman
President
604.687.2038 or visit our website at www.beatrixventures.com

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration and development activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see our public filings at www.sedar.com

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.

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Berkwood Acquires Lac Gueret East Graphite Property in Quebec

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:44 AM on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

May 22, 2012 (ACCESSWIRE-TNW via COMTEX) — Vancouver, B.C., May 22nd, 2012 – Berkwood Resources Ltd. CA:BKR +31.25% (the “Company” or “Berkwood”) announces that it has signed a Mineral Property Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) with a group of three prospectors (the “Vendors”) pursuant to which Berkwood has been granted an option (the “Option”) to earn a 100%-interest in the Lac Gueret East Graphite Property located in Quebec.

Lac Gueret East Graphite Property:

The Lac Gueret East Graphite Property (the “Property”) consists of 59 claims totalling 3186 Ha and borders the eastern boundary of Mason Graphite’s Lac Gueret Property. A 2009 technical report by Tekhne Research which covered 17% of Mason Graphite’s Lac Gueret Property estimated a resource of 8.9 million tonnes grading 20.8% Graphite.

The Lac Gueret East Graphite Property lies within the same prospective geological environment as Mason Graphite’s Lac Gueret Property, in the Paleoproterozoic Gagnon Terrane which is considered a para-autochton unit fertile for graphite in the Grenville Province of Quebec and includes biotite/garnet/sillimanite/graphite paragneisses, dolomitic marbles and intrusive rocks. Graphite in the area is present in marbles and in contact with or within paragneisses and ranges from 3% to 40% Cg (Carbon Graphite) exhibiting flakes up to 5 mm in diameter. Large flake graphite is generally considered as 0.2 mm and above. The Lac Gueret East Graphite Property is within three hours of Baie-Comeau by road and is easily accessible via numerous tertiary and forest roads. Property maps and details are available on the Berkwood website, please click here.

Berkwood intends to conduct an aggressive exploration campaign on the Property commencing immediately, beginning with a complete compilation of historic geologic work followed by an airborne electromagnetic survey, surface work follow up, stripping and trenching, and core drilling. The exploration program will be under the supervision of EarthMetrix, a firm specialising in the field of structural geology, which has supervised over 600 projects in Canada and abroad for various mining companies for over 20 years.

R. Brian Buchanan CEO and Director of the Company states: “This Quebec acquisition will offer Berkwood a great opportunity within the emerging Graphite space. The Lac Gueret East Graphite Property is well located in the Grenville Province adjacent to the advanced Mason Graphite Lac Gueret Property in an attractive mining jurisdiction. We are fortunate to add this asset to our property portfolio and will initiate work immediately.”

The Option Agreement:

Pursuant to the terms of the Option Agreement, Berkwood has the option to acquire a 100% -interest in the Lac Gueret East Graphite Property by making cash payments and issuing Berkwood securities as set forth below:

         --------------------------------------------------------------------
         |A                                   |Cash   |Securities           |
         |------------------------------------------------------------------|
         |On signing                          |$25,000|0                    |
         |------------------------------------------------------------------|
         |Within seven days of TSX Venture    |$35,000|750,000 units *      |
         |Exchange                            |       |                     |
         |acceptance                          |       |                     |
         |------------------------------------------------------------------|
         |Six months from TSX Venture Exchange|$75,000|500,000 common shares|
         |acceptance                          |       |                     |
         |------------------------------------------------------------------|
         |Twelve months from TSX Venture      |$75,000|375,000 common shares|
         |Exchange                            |       |                     |
         |acceptance                          |       |                     |
         |------------------------------------------------------------------|
         |Eighteen months from TSX Venture    |$75,000|375,000 common shares|
         |Exchange                            |       |                     |
         |acceptance                          |       |                     |
         --------------------------------------------------------------------

* Each unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant, with each warrant exercisable for 24 months for an additional common share at a price of $0.15

An aggregate net smelter royalty (“NSR”) of 2% shall be payable to the Vendors on all metals produced from the Property. The Company shall have the right at any time to buy back one per cent (1%) of the NSR from the Vendors for an aggregate payment of one million dollars ($1,000,000).

A finder’s fee will be paid in connection with the transaction in accordance with the policies permitted by the TSX Venture Exchange. The transaction is subject to a number of conditions and approvals, including, but not limited to, TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Alain Moreau, P. Geo., who supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release. Alain Moreau is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

Berkwood Announces Private Placement:

In addition, the Company has elected not to proceed with the non-brokered private placement of 2.2 million units at 15 cents per unit for the gross proceeds of $330,000, as announced in a news release dated March 16, 2012 due to market conditions. Instead the Company announces a non-brokered private placement of 7.5 million units at 10 cents per unit for gross proceeds of $750,000.

Each unit shall consist of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each full warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share of the company at 15 cents per share for a period of two years from the date of closing. A finder’s fee will be payable in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. The terms of the private placement are subject to approval by regulatory authorities.

The proceeds will be used for exploration programs, acquisition of properties and general working capital.

About Berkwood Resources:

Berkwood holds a 100% interest in the Prospect Valley Gold Property near Merritt, BC. To date, several areas of gold mineralization have been identified on the 107 km? property. The majority of historic drilling has taken place in the centre of the claim block along a prominent north-northeast trending linear zone. This drilling outlined NI43-101 compliant Inferred Mineral Resources totaling 166,000 ounces grading 0.511 g/t gold in 10,077,000 metric tonnes above a cut-off grade of 0.30 g/t gold at the combined Discovery South and Discovery North Zones (see Berkwood news release dated January 25, 2012 for details). The zones remain open for expansion and other known zones of gold mineralization have yet to be drilled.

Berkwood also has a 100% interest in the Cimandiri Gold Property in Indonesia, located 120km south of Jakarta, approximately 3 hours driving time. The project is located 9km southwest of the Cikondang Gold open pit mine. Soil sampling and geological mapping are being carried out on the property at present, and will continue to report material results as they are received.

If you are not currently on the Berkwood Resources email list, please visit our website by clicking here to opt-in to the list: http://www.berkwoodresources.com/contact.html . The Company will send out regular updates and news releases to everyone who asks to be on the list.

For additional information please contact:

Karim Sayani, Corporate Communications

Tel: (604) 662-7455 E-mail: [email protected]

Tom Steer, Media Relations Manager

Tel: (604) 681-5556 E-mail: [email protected]

On Behalf of Berkwood Resources

Brian Buchanan, President and Director

This Berkwood News Release contains certain “forward-looking” statements and information relating to Berkwood that are based on the beliefs of Berkwood’s management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Berkwood’s management. Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitation, competitive factors, general economic conditions, relationships with strategic partners, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, changes in industry practices, and one-time events. Should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and forward-looking statements may vary materially from those described herein. Except as required by law, Berkwood does not assume the obligation to update 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.

Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/berkwood-acquires-lac-gueret-east-graphite-property-in-quebec-2012-05-22?pagenumber=2

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Graphite Demand Seen Surging from Fuel Cells, Nuclear Reactors, Graphene

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:12 AM on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

Demand for graphite is rising and is expected to mushroom as this allotrope of carbon – most commonly known as part of lead pencils – finds new applications. Currently, three growing applications of this mineral – lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells, nuclear reactors, and the potential uses of wonder material graphene – are making the quest for graphite heat up.

Jeb Handwerger, an analyst, told Mining Weekly this month that he expects global demand for graphite to increase exponentially over the next few years from current production of about 1.1 million tons a year, more than 70 percent of which comes from China. He said demand could reach 1.6 million tons in five years, thanks to demand just from lithium-ion batteries, which use much more graphite than lithium.

Lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells

Electric vehicles, the buzzword of our times, could mean a surge in demand for high-grade flake graphite in the coming years as these green vehicles will be powered by lithium-ion batteries. While no concrete statistics are available, Brent Nykoliation, Vice President of Business Development at Energizer Resources Inc. (TSX:EGZ,OTCBB:ENZR,FWB:YE5) commented that China is reportedly preparing to stock up enough graphite to put one million electric and hybrid-electric vehicles a year on the road starting in 2015. At an average of 130 pounds of graphite needed per electric car battery, about 300,000 tons of graphite will be required.

Battery makers prefer synthetic graphite for lithium-ion batteries, according to a Reuters article published earlier this month. Further, the battery industry accounted for less than five percent of natural graphite market demand in 2011. However, that could change as synthetic graphite can cost more than $20,000 a tonne, while unprocessed flake graphite costs $1,500 to $3,000 a tonne. Add in the processing and coating and the price is $8,000 a tonne, amounting to major savings compared to synthetic graphite.

Gary Economo, President and CEO of Focus Metals Inc. (TSXV:FMC), said in an article that the reason battery manufacturers prefer synthetic graphite for lithium-ion batteriess is because they “need consistency from their suppliers. So when they say synthetic graphite is easier to control, I think they’re saying their suppliers are controlling the quality of the material from one batch to another. When you order natural graphite from a distributor, you don’t know what mine it’s coming from. There’s a variety of batches, and it’s very difficult for a battery manufacturer to maintain quality control.” Economo added that as flake-graphite manufacturers offer high-quality and pure material to battery makers, the dynamics of the industry are bound to change.

Pebble-bed nuclear reactors

Most of the world’s graphite production is amorphous graphite, which is used in the steelmaking industry. It’s flake graphite, whose price has soared from $1,000 to $3,000 a ton in the last five years, that is driving the demand for new applications.

A new generation of nuclear reactors called pebble-bed nuclear reactors use large amounts of flake graphite. These reactors get their name from the pebble-sized spheres of graphite mixed with uranium that they contain. “This structure allows pebble bed reactors to produce power more efficiently – and safely – than conventional reactors,” Alex Cowie, editor of Diggers & Drillers, wrote recently. “This technology means nuclear reactors can be smaller, and as easy to run as turning a switch.”

China started building a fourth generation 210-megawatt nuclear reactor using high-temperature, gas-cooled pebble-bed technology last year, International Business Times reported earlier this month. Each pebble-bed reactor would use about 3,000 tons of graphite, and China plans to boost its nuclear power capacity to 150 gigawatts by 2030, the article said, adding that China’s current capacity is less than 50 gigawatts.

Is graphene our future?

Graphene is derived from graphite and is seen as the wonder material of this century as it conducts electricity and is one of the strongest, yet most lightweight materials known to mankind. It is touted as having the ability to profoundly impact many industries, from electronics to aerospace to autos. However, the miracles of graphene are mostly being seen in laboratories, and the price of manufacturing it needs to come down before widespread commercial use can occur.

Nearly 200 companies, including IBM (NYSE:IBM), Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), and Samsung (LSE:BC94), are invested in graphene research, and companies and governments are pumping billions into graphene research.

“IBM has already used graphene to produce the fastest computer chip in history,” Diggers & Drillers’ Cowie said. “The US Air Force and Navy are funding research to investigate its potential. Graphene chips may displace silicon chips in computers. If this happens, then graphite demand would go through the roof.”

Cowie added, “[i]f scientists are even half-right, graphene could change the world as we know it, and the price of graphite will soar.”

Securities Disclosure: I, Karan Kumar, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Source: http://resourceinvestingnews.com/36764-graphite-demand-seen-surging-from-fuel-cells-nuclear-reactors-graphene.html

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Graphite and Zinc Price Outlook is Favourable Through 2013

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:13 AM on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

Vancouver BC – LOMIKO METALS INC. (TSX-V:LMR, OTC: LMRMF, FSE: DH8B) (the “Company”) owns 100% of the 5,407 Ha Vines Lake Zinc Property and has an agreement to acquire 100% of the Quatre Milles Graphite Property which has recently been expanded to 3,780 Ha. Both properties are subject to a 2% NSR. Exploration programs for both properties are planned for Summer 2012 and coincide with increased interest in both minerals.

Graphite – Demand Increases and Supply Risks

The price for flake graphite is $ 1,500 – 3,000 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. China, which produces about 80 per cent of the world’s graphite, is reducing its 200 amorphous graphite mines to 20 and creating a state-run monoploy which is already causing disruption in supply. Simon Moores of Industrial Minerals recently reported exports from China in January and February 2012 have been reduced by 55.3% and 60.1% from 2011 level exports from Hunan Province. It is not expected that current graphite mines in other countries could replace Chinese amorphous supply. An alternate is flake graphite. Use of this more expensive type of graphite could drive up prices for flake graphite even more..

Currently, the largest graphite mines produce only 20,000 tonnes per year. Predictions are that the current world-wide graphite consumption of 1.2 million tonnes per year will increase by 200,000 tonnes per year by 2015. This would require approximately ten mines of 20,000 tonnes per year to come on stream to meet demand. If changes to graphite mining in China take place, there could be added pressure on demand and a corresponding price increase as indicated by the increasing prices in the last two years.

Lomiko’s Quatre Milles Graphite Property

Lomiko announced it intends to complete up to 70 drill holes under a reccommended work program on the 1,660 Ha Quatre Milles Flake Graphite Property located in southwestern Quebec 175 km north-west of Montreal. Lomiko recently announced the purchase of an additional 2,180 Ha in the area to cover similar geology.

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 to complete both Phase I & II and establish a flake graphite resource at the Quatre Milles Property by December 2012.

Survey of Analyst Forecasts Indicates Zinc Prices To Increase

Energy & Metals Consensus Forecasts contains detailed individual analyst and average (mean) price forecasts for the next 10 quarters as well as the long-term outlook for over 30 of the leading analysts and forecasters in the world. The mean forecast predicsts a rise in the price pf 99.99% pure zinc by 23.2% by September 2012.

The main factor is the closure of large zinc mines in the coming years. China’s MinMetals Century mine will close within 4 years removing 500,000 tonnes per year from supply. Xstrata’s Brunswick mine in Canada, which provides 220,000 tonnes a year, is due to shut in early 2013. Other closures and in Kazakhstan, Canada and Ireland, among others, will be almost 1.5 million tonnes.

Zinc’s uses range from coatings to protect iron and steel through galvanization, to sheets for building and a range of chemical applications. The metal is used in the automotive and building and construction industries, with galvanized steel growth being the main driver of zinc demand. The total world zinc consumption was estimated to be 12.45 million tonnes in 2011.

At some point in 2012 or 2013, Japan is also expected to get a boost in zinc demand from reconstruction in the area, after the 2011 Tsunami.

Lomiko’s Zinc Discovery at Vines Lake

Zinc values in soil on the western side of Vines Lake were by far the most anomalous on the property, with values reported up to 2,429 ppm. One anomalous zone on the west side of the property measures roughly 122 hectares with an average zinc value of 425 ppm.

The Vines Lake Property is located in the Cassiar Gold Camp in the Liard Mining District of northwestern British Columbia. Lomiko Metals Inc. currently holds the rights to twelve contiguous mineral tenures comprising the property, totaling 5,407 Ha, (13,351 Acres). The 2011 Exploration program was conducted on the original 3 claims acquired in 2006 totaling 1,209 Ha (2,987 Acres). The Vines Lake property has year round paved road access as the property’s northern boundary crosses Hwy 37N, seven kilometers south of the unincorporated settlement of Jade City.

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

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Uranium North Discovers Significant Graphite on Amer Property and Stakes New Ground

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:51 AM on Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(May 16, 2012) – Uranium North Resource Corp. (“Uranium North” or the “Company”) (TSX VENTURE:UNR) announces that it has identified significant amounts of graphite on its 100% owned Amer Lake Property in Nunavut. Multiple graphite bearing beds ranging from 15 to 25 metres thick have yielded up to 4.13% graphite.

Graphitic beds have been intersected by two reverse circulation drill holes 3.1 kilometres apart as well as a core hole drilled 15 kilometres to the east. The same graphitic units have been identified in three surface outcrop exposures spanning an area of 22 x 10 kilometres.

The graphitic rocks are flat lying and occur in a basin scale stratigraphic unit that is a minimum of 60 metres thick and is expected to extend over a 26 x 8 kilometre area based on geological mapping.

“We are quite excited by the fact that the graphite at Amer occurs in thick extensive beds, not small thin veins. The thickness, grade and lateral extent of these graphite beds clearly represents a large scale deposit target for the company and depending on the nature of the graphite; this is a very significant discovery. With the future outlook of graphite and uranium, the Amer Lake property is highly valuable,” says Mark Kolebaba, President and CEO of Uranium North Resources.

Six test samples were randomly selected from two reverse circulation drill holes 3.1 kilometres apart and submitted for analysis to determine the graphitic carbon (Cg) content. The results from the analysis are shown in the table below.

Sample (Cg) %
54268 4.13
54271 3.2
54272 3.84
89474 0.6
89477 3.22
89482 3.77

Analysis method is Infrared

Samples have been submitted for mineral liberation analysis (MLA) to determine the nature and particle size of the graphite.

Graphite beds that outcrop at surface along the paleo-basin margins should be mapped in detail and sampled systematically. A 2000 to 3000 metre drill program with drill hole spacing at 500 to 1000 metres is required to test the grade, thickness and lateral extent of the graphite units across the basin.

Graphite at Amer Lake was recognized during the company’s uranium exploration program. The presence of graphite was investigated as a reducing environment favorable for uranium precipitation. This new graphite discovery increases the attractiveness of the Amer property where we have an existing uranium resource with potential to expand. Since the discovery of graphite on Amer, the company has staked additional claims over areas with known outcropping graphitic rocks.

The project is 70 kilometres from an all season road to Baker Lake and sea access.

Bruce Kienlen, P.Geol, and Graham Gill, P.Geo, are Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 reviewing the data in this news release.

On behalf of Uranium North Resources

Mark Kolebaba, President and CEO

Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling, activities and events or developments that Uranium North Resources Corp. (the “Company”) expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

“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.”

Contact Information

 

Uranium North Resource Corp.
Heather Kays
Corporate Communication
604-484-7120
604-484-7143 (FAX)
[email protected]
www.uraniumnorth.com

Source: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/uranium-north-discovers-significant-graphite-on-amer-property-and-stakes-new-ground-tsx-venture-unr-1658046.htm

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Lomiko CEO Paul Gill on Quebec graphite acquisition

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 2:18 PM on Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

Lomiko Metals Inc TSXV:LMR announced a letter of agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Quatre Milles West Property in south Quebec. Under the agreement, Lomiko pays three vendors a total of $3,000 and issues 1.8 million shares. The vendors retain a 2% NSR, half of which Lomiko may buy for $1 million.

The 2,180-hectare property covers the western extension of the geology that hosts the graphite-bearing structures shown in historic drilling at the company’s Quatre Milles Property. The combined property now covers two claim blocks, one eight kilometres by seven kilometres, and the other seven kilometres by five kilometres, bringing the expanded Quatre Milles Property from approximately 1,600 hectares to 3,780 hectares.

Lomiko plans an exploration program for the Quatre Milles Property including mapping, prospecting and drilling to test and confirm historic high-grade graphite intersected previously by Graphicor Resources in a 26-hole, 1,625-metre drill program.

Given the price tag—there’s no major cash outlay and the shares over time are very reasonable—we’ve basically doubled our potential here with a similar geological setting—Paul Gill

CEO Paul Gill tells ResourceClips.com, “The geologist we’re working with, Jean-Sébastien Lavallée, identified this property a little while ago and brought it to our attention. He’s part of a group that includes Zimtu Capital TSXV:ZC and the vendor of the original Quatre Milles Property, Michel Robert. Given the price tag—there’s no major cash outlay and the shares over time are very reasonable—we’ve basically doubled our potential here with a similar geological setting. It’s perfect for us. The EM conductor over similar geology at the original Quatre Milles Property has good results, so we anticipate good results from the new property. So, after we issue 1.8 million shares and pay $3,000, we’ll own that property 100%, subject to a 2% NSR.”

Lomiko has a $307,000, 16-hole drill program scheduled for its original Quatre Milles Property.

“We’ll be working the first property, so we’ll have our crew do some initial work on the new property and identify targets there too,” Gill says. “Probably the first thing to do there is an EM survey. The crew will be on the original property very shortly, and drilling could start in June.”

The company also has the 5,407-hectare Vines Lake Property in north BC, adjacent to China Minerals Mining’s TSXV:CMV Table Mountain Project.

“China Minerals is doing $3 million of work on their property,” Gill points out. “We’re going to do some work up there too. We’ve had good results, and I’m about to put a new PowerPoint presentation on our website with the zinc, gold and silver finds at Vines Lake. It’s very interesting that there’s an electromagnetic anomaly in the very far northeast of our property, which is nearest to the Table Mountain Mine. There’s actually a hole that occurs in the rock based on the electromagnetics. That’s the area where we had intensive gold and silver finds, so that’s very good news because it looks like there’s a faulting or some sort of system that pushed up through those rocks. So we want to explore that. We want to look at the large zinc anomaly as well for outcrops.”

Gill concludes, “We’re excited about the upcoming drill program at Quatre Milles, and we’re at the point where we can add a lot of value to the company based on the results.”

View Company Profile

Contact:
A. Paul Gill
CEO
604.729.5312

Read a feature story about Lomiko Metals.

Disclaimer: Lomiko Metals Inc is a client of OnPage Media, and the principals of OnPage Media may hold shares in Lomiko.

Source: http://resourceclips.com/2012/05/15/lomiko-ceo-paul-gill-on-quebec-graphite-acquisition/

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