Gratomic says it has now extracted 730 tonnes of graphite in Aukum project benching program

2022-09-21

Sep. 21, 2022 - It comes after the company reported on September 20 that it had set a new record at program, unearthing more than 150 tonnes of graphite in one working shift.

Gratomic Inc has further updated investors on progress at its benching program at its flagship Aukam graphite project in Namibia, revealing that now 730 tonnes of graphite has been transferred to the run-of-mine (ROM) stockpile.

It comes after the company reported on September 20 that it had set a new record at program, unearthing more than 150 tonnes of graphite in one working shift.

The vein excavated was around 2.5 meters (m) deep and exposed the over 150 tonnes of graphite below the surface, the firm had said.

"The rapid pace at which the bench-mining team is operating gives us a great sense of confidence as we gear up towards the next, and final phases, of pre-production," said Arno Brand, CEO in a statement.

Armando Farhate, chief operating officer (COO) and head of graphite marketing and sales, added: "The Aukam mining team is really exceeding my expectations, and although I was sure that we would move very quickly once the program had started, having already accomplished this large a stockpile so early on is a very welcome surprise",

Gratomic is working towards a feasibility study (FS) on the Aukam processing plant, which will provide conclusions and recommendations at a FS level relating to the scale up of the existing processing plant to a commercial scale processing facility capable of producing the desired concentrate grades and production rates.

The supply of graphite is conditional on Gratomic being able to bring the Aukam project into a production phase, and for any graphite being produced to meet certain technical and mineralization requirements, it noted.

Gratomic is focused on becoming a leading global graphite supplier with projects in Namibia, Brazil, and Canada.