Perth based Triton Minerals have hit a 31m drill intersection grading over 10% total graphitic carbon content (TGC) at its world class Nicanda West graphite play in Mozambique.
Other results include 8m at 10.3% TGC, 13m at 9.1% TGC and a 35m strike grading 8.1% total graphitic carbon.
Notably, recent exploration work at Nicanda West has confirmed that graphite mineralization at the prospect is dominated by the all important flake and jumbo sized graphite. This makes it potentially suitable for both the multi-billion dollar lithium battery market and also expanded graphite products.
Drilling results reported previously from Nicanda West indicate thick zones of graphite mineralization that form true widths of up to an impressive 190m. Selective higher grade zones, some averaging up to 12.9%TGC, also occur within the broader mineralized zone.
One of the most recent down hole mineralized intersections went for 169m, further demonstrating the robust nature of the Nicanda West prospect.
A simple four-stage flotation process yielded a total graphitic carbon grade of 96.1% including a preserved proportion of large and jumbo flake of 53% greater than 150 microns with 12.6% over 300 microns.
Geotechnical drilling to firm up the company’s DFS at the Nicanda Hill prospect also removed any doubt about the robustness of the resource model with an outstanding hit of 37m grading 13.1% graphite from just 20m down hole.
Preliminary flotation test work results from the company’s emerging Balama South prospect, showed a final concentrate grade of 97%TGC, recoveries of 90% and a distribution of greater than 30% of large flakes greater than 150 microns.
Triton will shortly update the market with respect to their drilling program that was undertaken in 2015 at the exciting Ancuabe project, also in Mozambique, with all results currently pending.
Preliminary test work at Ancuabe has returned some of the highest quality jumbo and super jumbo flake graphite in the world with over 73% of flake exceeding 300 microns in size and 43% exceeding 500 microns.
In addition to its superior flake size, the preliminary test work at Ancuabe also indicates that the deposit can produce grades of greater than 98%TGC from flotation.
By Matt Birney
