Press Releases

SGS Pilot-Scale Flotation Delivers Greater than 99.0% C(t) Purity by GDMS for Particle Sizes Larger than 200 Mesh

October 3rd , 2014, Vancouver, BC, Canada – Canada Carbon Inc. (the “Company”) (TSX-V: CCB) provides a further update on the preliminary results of its pilot-scale flotation processing at SGS Canada Inc. (“SGS”) of graphitic material from its 100% owned Miller graphite property.   

As previously reported in the Company's press release of September 24th, 2014, mechanical and metallurgical commissioning of the 500 kilograms per hour ("kg/h") flotation pilot plant at the SGS Lakefield site commenced on September 8th, 2014.  During this commissioning period, process grab samples were collected intermittently to facilitate the optimization of the metallurgical performance. Initial results reported on September 24th, 2014 were from the first phase ("Phase 1") of pilot plant commissioning, which confirmed that a high-purity large-flake product was being collected. In the second phase ("Phase 2") of commissioning, adjustments to the operating conditions of the pilot plant were made to optimize the purity of all graphite particle sizes. The results from Phase 2 are reported below.

In Phase 2, the full suite of +200 mesh (75 microns) size fractions of a 30 minute concentrate composite, which was collected during steady circuit operation, were submitted for GDMS analysis by Evans Analytical in Syracuse, NY. The results of both the total carbon analysis by Leco and GDMS analyses are presented in the table below, which confirm that the very high graphite concentrate grades obtained with the 50 kg bulk sample can be replicated on a pilot plant scale processing 500 kg/h. The bench-scale grades reported below were obtained during the 7th and final laboratory scale flotation trial conducted by SGS on the 50 kg bulk sample.

Grades of Bench-Scale and Pilot Plant-Scale Flotation Concentrate Fractions

Size Fraction

Bench-Scale

% C(t) by Leco1

Pilot Plant

% C(t) by Leco1

Pilot Plant

% C(t) by GDMS2

Equivalent Boron Content (ppm)3

+32 mesh

100

99.7

99.74

2.18

+48 mesh

99.6

98.3

99.73

1.21

+65 mesh

99.5

100

99.70

1.52

+80 mesh

97.9

97.6

99.63

1.56

+100 mesh

98.4

100

99.63

1.37

+150 mesh

97.4

97.9

99.52

2.41

+200 mesh

98.1

97.8

99.38

1.51

 

1All reported analytical results have an associated measurement uncertainty based on the expected precision and accuracy relating to the method and sample concentration. Values at 100% should not be treated as pure products without additional impurity testing. The chemical analysis used to determine the total carbon content employs combustion of a sample followed by infrared detection on a LECO SC-632 instrument.  The estimated measurement uncertainty for total carbon values greater than 50% C(t) is 1.4% (relative) with a resolution of 1 significant figure. For example, a reported assay value of 99.0% C(t) could therefore range between 97.6% and 100% C(t).

2 Purity C(t) % was calculated as “100% minus (sum of all impurity concentrations (%))”. In those instances in which the GD-MS assay reported an element concentration as being below the detection limit for this method, the detection limit concentration was used in the calculation of total impurity content. For example, in all assays, Cadmium was reported as “<1 ppm” concentration, by weight. For the purposes of the purity calculation, Cadmium = 1ppm was used, as it is the most conservative approach to interpreting the data. Therefore, the calculated graphite purity values reported here are the minimum possible values which can be derived from the data. The following elements were included as their respective oxides in the impurity analysis calculations to take into account their natural form as oxide minerals within the graphite concentrate – Si, Al, Ti, Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, Na, K, and P.

3Equivalent Boron Content (EBC), expressed as parts per million (by weight) was calculated according to ASTM C1233-09. ‘Nuclear graphite’ threshold is 5 ppm, by international agreement.

As was the case with the Phase 1 results reported on September 24th, 2014, these Phase 2 results were obtained using flotation alone.  No additional chemical processing, leaching, baking or other thermal techniques were employed. Additionally, all size fractions exceeded nuclear purity threshold as defined by EBC.

Executive Chairman and CEO Mr. R. Bruce Duncan stated, “Based on our research, these preliminary results from SGS Canada’s pilot-scale operation covering seven size fractions are unparalleled within the natural graphite industry. We have successfully transitioned from processing kilograms of graphite at one time, to now processing it by the tonne.” Mr. Duncan further states, “Over 100 years ago, the Grenville (now known as Miller) graphite was exhibited at the Paris and Glasgow World Expositions, where it was awarded First Prize. These latest testing results indicate that the Miller graphite has maintained its position of superiority.”

The bulk sample currently being processed includes material from all known significant surface exposures of graphite. All graphite samples were selected under the guidance of Mr. Oliver Peters.  Mr. Peters conducted a site visit to the Miller project in August 2014, to observe the graphite mineralization, and to consult directly with Canada Carbon’s field geological team with respect to bulk sample material selection criteria. (see September 24th, 2014 press release)

Qualified Person

Mr. Oliver Peters, M.Sc., P.Eng, MBA, (Consulting Metallurgist for SGS and Principal Metallurgist of Metpro Management Inc.) is an Independent Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical information provided in this news release.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

 

CANADA CARBON INC.


R. Bruce Duncan

  CEO and Director

 

Contact Information

E-mail inquiries: info@canadacarbon.com

P: (604) 638-0971

F: (604) 638-0973

 

“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.”

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management’s current expectations and assumptions.  Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com).