TIDMALBA
RNS Number : 3340N
Alba Mineral Resources PLC
20 January 2023
Alba Mineral Resources Plc / EPIC: ALBA / Market: AIM / Sector:
Mining
20 January 2023
Alba Mineral Resources Plc
("Alba" or the "Company")
GROC Update
Amitsoq Purification Tests Achieve 99.97% Purity &
Successful Meetings Held in Greenland
Alba Mineral Resources Plc (AIM: ALBA) is pleased to note the
announcement today by its portfolio company, GreenRoc Mining Plc
("GreenRoc") (AIM: GROC). Alba holds a 50.6% majority interest in
GreenRoc.
Alba's Executive Chairman, George Frangeskides, commented:
"These latest developments from Amitsoq are very positive; not just
in terms of the success of the purification test work, which has
not only met but exceeded the 99.95% minimum purity level required
for EV batteries, but also the clear indication from Stefan's
meetings in Greenland of the existence of a groundswell of support
from the key stakeholders at both the national and the local level
for our plans to establish a graphite mine in southern
Greenland."
The GreenRoc announcement is set out below without material
changes.
GreenRoc Mining Plc
("GreenRoc" or the "Company")
Project Updates
Amitsoq Purification Tests Achieve 99.97% Purity &
Successful Meetings Held with Community and Minister for Mineral
Resources
GreenRoc Mining Plc (AIM: GROC), a company focused on the
development of critical minerals projects in Greenland, is pleased
to announce the results of purification test work carried out by
GreenRoc's technical consultants, ProGraphite GmbH ('ProGraphite')
on spheronised graphite produced from an Amitsoq graphite sample.
The test work achieved purity of 99.97% using alkaline
purification, which exceeds the purity required to produce
spheronised graphite used in the manufacturing of anodes for
electric vehicle ("EV") batteries.
The Company also reports that a series of positive and
successful meetings have taken place in Greenland this week between
CEO Stefan Bernstein and various project stakeholders including the
local community at Amitsoq, the Minister for Mineral Resources and
Justice and the newly established Government body, NunaGreen, which
is leading the transition to carbon-neutral energy in
Greenland.
Finally, GreenRoc provides a brief update on the status of Thule
Black Sands ("TBS") test work and resource assessment.
Key Points
-- A graphite sample from the Lower Graphite Layer ("LGL"),
successfully spheronised last autumn, was subjected to purification
tests using sodium hydroxide and reached a purity of 99.97%.
-- Amitsoq graphite thereby surpasses the 99.95% purity required
for spheronised graphite used in the manufacture of anodes for EV
batteries.
-- An information meeting in Nanortalik between the local
community, GreenRoc's CEO, Stefan Bernstein, and Niras, (the
Company's specialist sustainability consultant), in preparation of
the Amitsog Social Impact Assessment ("SIA"). Meetings were also
held with other local stakeholders, including industry
representatives, the trade union, hunters' organisation and
representatives from the Municipality of Kujalleq.
-- GreenRoc's CEO, Stefan Bernstein, met in Nuuk with Aqqaluaq
B. Egede, Minister for Mineral Resources and Justice and Permanent
Secretary Jørgen Hammeken-Holm. The Minister expressed strong
support for the Greenland mineral exploration industry in general
and specifically for the Amitsoq Graphite Project.
-- GreenRoc's CEO, Stefan Bernstein, also met with
representatives of the new Government body NunaGreen to discuss
carbon-neutral energy sources to meet the energy needs for
commercial operations at Amitsoq.
-- Coarser grain fraction (> 1mm) from TBS drill samples to
be tested for ilmenite content prior to finalisation of assays and
resource assessment. The material larger than 1mm was initially
discarded from the analytical work, though potentially containing
appreciable amounts of ilmenite.
GreenRoc's CEO, Stefan Bernstein, commented:
"This confirmation that our spheronised graphite, produced from
concentrate from the Lower Graphite Layer at the Amitsoq Island
deposit, can be purified to an exceptional 99.97% purity using a
preferred alkaline purification route is a very significant
milestone for our flagship project. It demonstrates that our
graphite is suitable for processing into anode-grade spherical
graphite, a key raw material in the manufacturing of batteries for
electric vehicles.
"This week I held a series of very constructive meetings in
southern Greenland with key Community and Government stakeholders
in our Amitsoq Project. I was greatly encouraged by what I felt to
be the overwhelmingly positive engagement I was met with,
concerning the Amitsoq project. I have high expectations that our
Amitsoq project can bring real value to Nanortalik and the
Municipality of Kujalleq and I very much look forward to working
with all stakeholders over the coming years as we plan the mine
reopening, and thereafter."
Details
Successful Purification Test Results
After the successful micronisation and spheronisation test work
conducted on LGL graphite material in the autumn of 2022, which was
announced on 8 November 2022, the next step was to assess whether
that spheronised graphite could be purified to at least 99.95%,
that being the requirement for anode-grade material.
Purification test work had previously been carried out by
ProGraphite in 2021, where they ran a series of tests on graphite
concentrates and found that a high degree of purification could be
reached using hydrofluoric acid, which is the standard method for
purification. Because of the toxicity of hydrofluoric acid,
ProGraphite also conducted purification tests using sodium
hydroxide (an alkali) and found that the required purity could also
be achieved with this agent.
These tests were repeated recently by ProGraphite on spheronised
graphite material produced from LGL drill core. Several tests were
conducted, and it was found that a leaching at a relatively low
temperature of 250degC resulted in a purified graphite product
containing 99.97% graphite. Levels of unwanted elements such as Fe,
Cu and Cr were all at very low levels of 15.4ppm, 0.8ppm and 0.2ppm
respectively.
Meetings in Nanortalik
On 17 January 2023, GreenRoc CEO Stefan Bernstein held an
information meeting at the Culture House in Nanortalik, South
Greenland. Nanortalik is the town closest to Amitsoq, lying only
20km to the south. Specialist consulting firm Niras, which is
conducting the Social Impact Assessment for the Company, was
represented by Director Gertrud Øllgaard. Stefan Bernstein gave an
overview at the meeting of GreenRoc's activities in 2022 and its
plans for Amitsoq in the light of the positive outlook both for the
graphite deposit at Amitsoq and the growing global graphite market.
There was considerable interest in the Project and many pertinent
questions asked, mainly relating to job prospects whether in the
development, construction or production phases of the Project.
Meetings were also held with representatives of the Municipality
of Kujalleq responsible for youth, recreational and sports
activities in Nanortalik, as well as with representatives from the
local fishing/hunters' organisation (KNAPP), the workers' union
(SIP) and with several private service industries. Important
viewpoints relating to future mining activity at Amitsoq were
expressed and discussed.
Presentation and discussions of the Amitsoq project with
Nanortalik community.
Meeting with Ministry of Mineral Resources and Justice
On 16 January 2023, CEO Stefan Bernstein met in Nuuk with
Minister for Mineral Resources and Justice, Aqqaluaq B. Egede and
Permanent Secretary for same ministry, Jørgen Hammeken-Holm. During
a very positive discussion, GreenRoc's CEO presented the Company's
plans for advancing the Amitsoq graphite project to production and
the Minister in turn expressed his views on how the mineral
industry could contribute in a positive way to the development of
the towns and villages in South Greenland. The Minister stressed
that the Naalakkersuisut (Government of Greenland) has a positive
attitude towards the exploration and mining industry in general and
he expressed strong support specifically to the Amitsoq graphite
project. The important subject of renewable energy sources to
supply both the mines and the towns in South Greenland was also
discussed.
This latter issue was also discussed during a meeting the same
day with NunaGreen, which is a newly established Governmental body
which seeks to help Greenland transition away from the use of
fossil fuels and instead to exploit the country's formidable
hydropower potential in order to underpin Power-to-X plants and
possible other energy-intensive plants - some of which could well
be in the mineral sector. Other options presented were a
combination of smaller hydropower plants supplemented with wind
turbines and tidal-water turbines, all of which could be exciting
solutions delivering a CO(2) -neutral mining operation at
Amitsoq.
Meeting in Nuuk between Minister for Mineral Resources and
Justice, Aqqaluaq B Egede and GreenRoc's CEO Stefan Bernstein.
Re-analysis of Thule Black Sands ("TBS") samples
As announced on 26 September 2022, the drill results from the
TBS Ilmenite Project were delayed due to the requirement for
additional analytical work to be carried out. An upper screening of
1.0mm had initially been employed, which excluded a significant
mass of potentially ilmenite-bearing material, the ilmenite being
locked up in a dolerite matrix. This locked-up ilmenite will
accordingly be subjected to a grinding, attritioning and a
separation test work programme to determine whether it is
recoverable to produce and in what grade and quality. This work is
anticipated to commence by the end of January 2023, with results to
be delivered approximately 6-8 weeks after commencement.
Following the completion of this next round of test work, the
Company will be in a position to report final assay results from
the drill programme and then proceed with the finalisation of a
revised resource assessment for TBS.
Ilmenite is an iron-titanium oxide mineral and is the primary
feedstock for the production of titanium metal and titanium
dioxide, a widely used pigment.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the Directors of the Company
are responsible for the release of this announcement.
Competent Person Declaration
The information in this release that relates to Exploration
Results has been reviewed by Mr Mark Austin. Mr Austin is a member
of SACNASP (Reg. No. 400235/06), Fellow of The Geological Society
and Fellow of the Geological Society of South Africa. He has a
B.Sc. Honours in Geology with 38 years' experience.
Mark Austin has sufficient experience that is relevant to the
style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and
to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person
as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for
Reporting of Exploration targets, Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves', also known as the JORC Code. The JORC
code is a national reporting organisation that is aligned with
CRIRSCO. Mr Austin consents to the inclusion in the announcement of
the matters based on his information in the form and context in
which they appear.
Forward Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements relating
to expected or anticipated future events and anticipated results
that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market
and business conditions, competition for qualified staff, the
regulatory process and actions, technical issues, new legislation,
uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans,
uncertainties resulting from working in a new political
jurisdiction, uncertainties regarding the results of exploration,
uncertainties regarding the timing and granting of prospecting
rights, uncertainties regarding the timing and granting of
regulatory and other third party consents and approvals,
uncertainties regarding the Company's or any third party's ability
to execute and implement future plans, and the occurrence of
unexpected events.
Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided
herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and
uncertainties and other factors.
About ProGraphite
ProGraphite GmbH is a specialist consultancy laboratory based in
Germany and has served the carbon and graphite industry for more
than 20 years. ProGraphite provides in-house testing capacity over
a wide range of carbon and graphite products and is an
industry-leading expert.
**ENDS**
For further information, please visit
www.albamineralresources.com or contact:
Alba Mineral Resources Plc
George Frangeskides, Executive Chairman +44 20 3950 0725
SPARK Advisory Partners Limited (Nomad)
Andrew Emmott +44 20 3368 3555
OvalX (Broker)
Thomas Smith +44 20 7392 1494
St Brides Partners (Financial PR)
Isabel de Salis / Catherine Leftley alba@stbridespartners.co.uk
Alba's Projects and Investments
Mining Projects Operated Location Ownership
by Alba
Clogau (gold) Wales 100%
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Dolgellau Gold Exploration
(gold) Wales 100%
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Gwynfynydd (gold) Wales 100%
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Limerick (zinc-lead) Ireland 100%
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Investments Held by Alba Location Ownership
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GreenRoc Mining Plc (mining) Greenland 50.6%
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Horse Hill (oil) England 11.765%
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