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#FCM First Class Metals – ADMISSION OF SHARES
First Class Metals PLC (“First Class Metals” “FCM” or the “Company”), the UK listed metals exploration company seeking economic metal discoveries across its extensive Canadian Schreiber-Hemlo, Sunbeam and Zigzag land holdings, announces that, further to the announcement dated 17 January 2024, the ordinary shares will now be admitted to trading in the following four tranches:
i) 13,134,410 Shares will be admitted to trading on or around 23 January 2024;
ii) 2,626,882 Shares will be admitted to trading on or around 26 January 2024;
iii) 525,377 Shares will be admitted to trading on or around 31 January 2024; and
iv) 87,005 Shares will be admitted to trading on or around 5 February 2024.
For the avoidance of doubt, there is a minor change to the number of shares being admitted in tranches 1 and 3 and no change to tranches 2 and 4.
The Company’s issued share capital remains 82,045,729 ordinary shares of 0.1p each, with one vote per share (and no such shares are held in treasury). The total number of voting rights is therefore 82,045,729 and this figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations to determine if they have a notifiable interest in the share capital of the Company under the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, or if such interest has changed.
For further information, please contact:
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James Knowles, Executive Chairman |
07488 362641 |
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Marc J Sale, CEO |
07711 093532 |
#BRES Blencowe Resources – Orom-Cross Graphite Project Update
Blencowe Resources Plc (“Blencowe” or the “Company”), is pleased to provide an update on the progress of the Orom-Cross Definitive Feasibility Study (“DFS”), and some of the expected activities in the current quarter.
Highlights:
· Further 600 tonne bulk sample completed for shipment to China for commercial scale testing and further OEM testing of processed 99.95% purified SPG product. Testing to be carried out in Q1 2024. Interest in Orom-Cross product has been high from various tier one battery off-takers.
· Strong support for Orom-Cross from Government of Uganda and specifically Ministry of Mines and Energy. Tenements and licenses in good standing, relations remain strong.
· Next milestone for further grant funding from the US Government Development Finance Corporation is close to completion and will be announced once funds have cleared.
· DFS work continuing with activities in four countries, including Uganda, China, US and Australia. Further environmental work continues in parallel to infrastructure studies.
· Downstream processing options which may provide transformational value opportunities continue to be explored.
A further 600 tonnes of bulk sample graphite was mined at Orom-Cross in late 2023 in order to provide significantly more product for commercial scale testing in China, using the same graphite expert (Jilin) who had successfully completed the testing on the 100 tonne sample previously. This product will be shipped to China and testing will be done in 1Q 2024 and the resultant concentrate will then be further processed to 99.95% purified product for OEM testing thereafter. This is ultimately expected to lead to offtake agreements. To date all testing has been extremely positive and as a result there is plenty of interest in all Orom-Cross products from various tier one battery off-takers.
The Government of Uganda, and specifically the Ministry of Mines and Energy, have been very supportive of this latest bulk sample programme (with representatives in attendance at the time of bulk sampling) and their backing of Orom-Cross continues at all levels. All tenements and licenses are in good standing and relations remain strong.
Blencowe is near to delivering on the next milestone for further grant funding from the US Government Development Finance Corporation (“DFC”) and this will be announced once funds are cleared. This remains an important, non-dilutive, source of funding for project work.
DFS work will continue with activities continuing in four countries, including Uganda, China, US and Australia. Further environmental work is also underway and will continue in parallel to infrastructure studies in-country. Orom-Cross benefits from substantial key infrastructure already in place near to the project, including roads, communications and access to hydro-electric energy from the national grid. Further announcements in relation to DFS progress will follow as key deliverables are achieved.
Test work on expandability of purified coarse flake product will also be finalised in 1Q 2024 with a leading graphite technical expert in Chicago, USA. This will determine the quality and characteristics of purified coarse flake end products as opposed to purified smaller flake products which were successfully tested in late 2023. Orom-Cross project has a strong mix of both coarse (+195) and smaller flake (-195) products, all of which are in demand.
Executive Chairman Cameron Pearce commented:
“Blencowe continues to progress the DFS on a number of key fronts, working towards a project strategy that ultimately delivers the most value for the Company. We have a unique value proposition at Orom-Cross, with low operating costs, low capital costs and high grade of purity for all end products, which together provide a very compelling case for this project moving into production ahead of most of its peers. We will also continue to explore downstream processing options as this can potentially take Orom-Cross to yet another level and we will report to market as we progress this. All in all we envisage an exciting year ahead as we complete the DFS and move the project towards a decision to mine.”
For further information please contact:
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Blencowe Resources Plc Sam Quinn |
www.blencoweresourcesplc.com Tel: +44 (0)1624 681 250
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Investor Relations Sasha Sethi |
Tel: +44 (0) 7891 677 441
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Tavira Securities Jonathan Evans |
Tel: +44 (0)20 3192 1733 jonathan.evans@tavirasecurities.com
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First Equity Limited Jason Robertson |
Tel: +44(0)20 7330 1833 jasonrobertson@firstequitylimited.com
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Twitter https://twitter.com/BlencoweRes
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/72382491/admin/
Background
Orom-Cross Graphite Project
Orom-Cross is a potential world class graphite project both by size and end-product quality, with a high component of more valuable larger flakes within the deposit.
A 21-year Mining Licence for the project was issued by the Ugandan Government in 2019 following extensive historical work on the deposit and Blencowe is now in the Definitive Feasibility Study phase shortly as it drives towards first production.
Orom-Cross presents as a large, shallow open-pitable deposit, with a maiden JORC Indicated & Inferred Mineral Resource deposit of 24.5Mt @ 6.0% Total Graphite Content. Development of the resource is expected to benefit from a low strip ratio and free dig operations, thereby ensuring lower operating and capital costs.
#FCM First Class Metals Plc – SPODUMENE IN ALL NINE ZIGZAG DRILL INTERSECTIONS
First Class Metals PLC (“First Class Metals” “FCM” or the “Company”) the UK listed metals exploration company seeking economic metal discoveries across its extensive Canadian Schreiber-Hemlo, Sunbeam and Zigzag land holdings is pleased to announce that spodumene-bearing pegmatites have been intersected in every targeted hole drilled at First Class Metals’ Zigzag lithium Property. The identified mineralization remains open along strike and down dip.
HIGHLIGHTS
· Spodumene (a high-grade lithium mineral – Li[AlSi 2O6].) bearing pegmatite intersected in all nine targeted holes drilled.
· Over 50m of pegmatite intersections recorded (see figure 1 for area of drilling)
· Multiple mineralised pegmatite zones were intersected in holes targeting 400m of the known 800m strike.
· Pegmatite thickness exceeded 5m thick, down hole, and the potentially multiphase mineralised system remains open along strike and down dip / plunge.
· All holes are being systematically logged and marked up for sampling before cutting / sample collection.
First Class is pleased to announce the completion of the final hole of its inaugural drill programme at the Company’s Zigzag Property (the “Property”), located in the Seymour-Falcon corridor in northwestern Ontario, Canada. The drill programme included 9 holes targeting the pegmatite bearing zone and one hole (the tenth, final hole) being a scissor to ZIG-23-06, to confirm the interpreted dip of the structure. The 10-hole, 450-metre drill programme was completed successfully on the 16th December within budget and time schedules
Photo 1 Drill rig completing FCM-23-09, step back to FCM-23-05
The drilling targeted the 400m central section of the property which had been subject to a non-mechanised stripping and channel sampling programme reporting up to 2.36% lithium (Li2O) over 5.5m (See RNS 28th November), see figure 1. Historic drill holes also reported an intersection grading 1.08% Li2O over 6.1m from 12.45m and a separate intersection of 399.8ppm Ta2O 5over 2.92m from 15.50m.
Figure 1–Drilling covered the area of channel sampling and ‘grabs’ on roughly 50 m centres (note historic grid lines are on 200ft (60m) centres).
Visual observations undertaken whilst logging the core have recorded spodumene-bearing pegmatite in all holes which targeted the pegmatite, (see Photo 2-drill hole FCM-23-01) The core is now being logged in detail then it will be ‘marked-up’ for cutting (sampling), it is anticipated that circa 100 samples will be sent for analyses in Thunder Bay. Results from the initial batch are expected in early Q1 2024.
Photo 2-Shallow intersection of pegmatite hosting spodumene (pale green ‘blades’ in hole ZIG-23-01).
Marc J Sale Chief Executive Officer Commented-
“The completion of the drilling at Zigzag has consolidated the undertaking to shareholders / investors that FCM would bring 4 properties to ‘drill ready status’ and drill one this season. I am extremely pleased with the (visual) indications of the drill core and the robust intersections that I have seen so far. I look forward with positive anticipation to the first results. We are already planning the next stages of exploration.”
For further information, please contact:
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James Knowles, Executive Chairman |
07488 362641 |
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Marc J Sale, CEO |
07711 093532 |
First Equity Limited
(Financial Adviser & Broker)
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Jonathan Brown |
0207 3742212 |
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Jason Robertson |
0207 3742212 |
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#FCM First Class Metals – Exploration Agreement signed with Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg First Nation
First Class Metals PLC (“First Class Metals” “FCM” or the “Company”) the UK listed metals exploration company seeking economic metal discoveries across its extensive Canadian Schreiber-Hemlo, Sunbeam and Zigzag land holdings is pleased to announce the signing of an Exploration Agreement (‘EA’) with the Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg First Nation (“NNFN” or “the Community”) covering the North Hemlo, Esa & Sugar Cube Properties.
Highlights
· Under the signed Exploration Agreement, the Company will continue to conduct mineral exploration with the support of the Community. The agreement promotes unity and a mutually beneficial and respectful relationship between First Class Metals and the Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg First Nation.
· The EA allows for the exploration of the North Hemlo, Esa & Sugar Cube Properties which are located within the Traditional Territories of the Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg First Nation.
· The Exploration Agreement recognizes and respects the Aboriginal and Treaty rights and interests of the Community with their constitutional and other legal rights.
· The Exploration Agreement is in line with the First Class Metals’ commitment to build sincere relationships with First Nation Communities. We have an active interest and respect for all people, and we understand the social, environmental, and economic implications of our activities.
Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg First Nation Commented-
“NNFN has a long history of productive engagement with the mining industry and supports mining activity in areas that are mutually beneficial to the First Nation and to its industry partners. We commend the importance First Class Metals places on engagement with our community, and its commitment to protect our lands and waters. FCM’s pro-active engagement with NNFN is a model for other companies seeking to work in our territory.”
Marc J Sale, First Class Metals CEO Commented–
“I am extremely pleased that the efforts to establish a transparent honest relationship with NetmizaaggamigNishnaabeg First Nation and their representatives has culminated in the signing of this agreement and I look forward to working with the Community as we progress First Class’s exploration areas. Now this EA has been granted we intend to imminently start a stripping program on the Esa Property, with the intention of bringing it to a true ‘drill ready status”
For further information, please contact:
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James Knowles, Executive Chairman |
07488 362641 |
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Marc J Sale, CEO |
07711 093532 |
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Ayub Bodi, Executive Director |
07860 598086 |
First Equity Limited (Financial Adviser & Broker)
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Jonathan Brown |
0207 3742212 |
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Jason Robertson |
0207 3742212 |
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#FCM First Class Metals Plc – MCKELLAR & ENABLE GRANTING OF EXPLORATION PERMITS
First Class Metals PLC (“First Class Metals” “FCM” or the “Company”) the UK metals exploration company seeking economic metal discoveries across its extensive Canadian Schreiber-Hemlo, Sunbeam and Zigzag land holdings is pleased to announce that its 100% owned subsidiary First Class Metals Canada Inc. (“FCMC”) has received notification from the Ontario Province of the granting of two further Exploration Permits.
The permits are effective for a period of three years until expiry on the 16th November 2026. The permitted activities are: stripping, trail cutting and diamond drilling,
HIGHLIGHTS
- Exploration permits for Enable and McKellar received from the Ontario Ministry of Mines.
- FCMC now holds six exploration permits over properties of great merit.
- The area covered by valid exploration permits has expanded significantly, encompassing nearly 200km² of land. Within this vast area, we have identified numerous priority drill targets across each of our properties. These targets hold immense potential for exploration and discovery.
Enable
The Enable property is transected by a regional structural contact with an inferred extent of 5km, within the property, with proven mineralisation. Historical showings on the property include Perch Lake reporting 1.85ppm Au. FCM has validated that assay as well as several hundred metres away identified outcrop with assays up to 7ppm Au and 80ppm Ag. Further work, initially stripping is warranted.
McKellar
The ~12.5km² McKellar property only 25km from Marathon and adjacent to highway I17 contains a plethora of historic showings including gold, silver (Old Pic silver mine historical reports over 20oz Ag) a REE bearing diatreme and importantly a >400m mineralised trend, open along strike, containing >4% zinc (Zn) As well as associated anomalies in lead and copper. Previous work by Noranda postulated this anomalous structure was a potential VMS – volcanic massive sulphide.
Marc J. Sale, CEO of FCM commented:
“I am gratified and humbled that the relationship with the First Nations with whom we interact has been recognised in the granting of these Permits. Currently we now have six permits, along with three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and an Exploration agreement signed with four separate First Nation groups. I would also like to extend my thanks to the staff of the Ontario Ministry of Mines for their diligent work in issuing the permits.
These permits will enable us to conduct focused exploration efforts, with the ultimate aim of further refining delineating drill targets and commencing drilling operations. The mutual respect and collaboration we have fostered with the First Nations is of utmost importance to us, and we are honoured to have made such significant progress across the majority of our portfolio.”
Other currently active Permits include:
- Sunbeam (two Permits), gold focus. Stripping and channel sampling completed across thee zones of interest, results still outstanding for the Sunbeam & Pettigrew areas.
- Zigzag, hard rock lithium/critical metals. Channel sampling results pending
- Esa, predominately gold. Extensive soil sampling campaign across the 4.5km shear pending.
- North Hemlo, gold base / battery metals. Exploration plan for stripping on the Dead Otter Trend in progress.
For further information, please contact:
| James Knowles, Executive Chairman | JamesK@Firstclassmetalsplc.com | 07488 362641 |
| Marc J Sale, CEO | MarcS@Firstclassmetalsplc.com | 07711 093532 |
| Ayub Bodi, Executive Director | AyubB@Firstclassmetalsplc.com | 07860 598086 |
First Equity Limited
(Financial Adviser & Broker)
| Jonathan Brown | 0207 3742212 | |
| Jason Robertson | 0207 3742212 |
First Class Metals PLC – Background
First Class Metals is focussed on exploration in Ontario, Canada which is considered a top global destination forexploration with a robust and thriving junior mineral exploration sector. Specifically, the Hemlo ‘camp’ is a proven worldclass address for gold /VMS exploration. This geological terrane has significant production, both base / precious metals anda prolific number of exploration projects and numerous prospector’s ‘showings’.
#KAV Kavango Resources Plc – Grant of New Share Options
Kavango Resources plc (LSE:KAV), the exploration company targeting the discovery of world-class mineral deposits in Botswana, announces the Board has approved the grant of 48,000,000 share options to directors and PDMRs of the Company (the “Director Options”) and 20,000,000 share options to key consultants to the Company (the “Consultant Options”).
More information on the terms of the option grants and amendments is provided below.
The Director Options are exercisable at a price of 1.1 pence per Ordinary Share for a period of seven years.
The Consultant Options are exercisable at a price of 1.1 pence per Ordinary Share for a period of seven years. The Consultant Options are subject to phased vesting over twenty four months from the date of grant, with 2,000,000 of the Consultant Options vesting immediately, 4,000,000 vesting after twelve months and the remainder vesting after twenty four months, subject to continuous employment or commercial engagement with the Company.
For further information, please contact:
Kavango Resources Plc
Ben Turney. +46 7697 406 06
First Equity (Broker)
Jason Robertson. +44 207 374 2212
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF REGULATION 2014/596/EU WHICH IS PART OF DOMESTIC UK LAW PURSUANT TO THE MARKET ABUSE (AMENDMENT) (EU EXIT) REGULATIONS (SI 2019/310) (“UK MAR”). UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION (AS DEFINED IN UK MAR) IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
#FCM First Class Metals – Sunbeam: Update of exploration activities
First Class Metals PLC (“First Class Metals” “FCM” or the “Company”) the UK metals exploration company seeking large scale metal discoveries across its extensive Canadian Schreiber-Hemlo Sunbeam and Zigzag land holding is pleased to provide an update on the Sunbeam past producing high grade gold mine.
Highlights
· Initial results from the Roy prospect have been received, including 18.8 g/t Gold (Au) grade from a 0.3m channel sample
· An additional 119 contiguous claims staked, expanding the Sunbeam Property by 25km². The Sunbeam Property now covers 72km², encompassing district scale structures.
· Final ‘English Option’ payment has been agreed with the intention of transferring 100% of the claim ownership across to FCM
· Channel sampling results still from the Sunbeam Mine & Pettigrew Working still pending.
Marc J Sale Chief Executive Officer commented:
“The initial channel results from Roy are encouraging to the extent of justifying the expansion of the Sunbeam property to included inferred structural extensions emphasising the district scale potential of the area. The mineralised structures identified on the property, historically exploited at Sunbeam, Roy and Pettigrew continue to provide tangible encouragement to develop the property towards drilling”
Background & Update
Since the announcement of the Sunbeam acquisition in early October 2022, we have been working to advance the project to drill ready status.
The exploration phase commenced with a comprehensive historical review of all available data from the time historical production commenced in the early 1900’s through to the last drilling campaign and geophysical survey by the previous operators. This included a detailed review of the available core.
As part of our commitment to uphold key Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives and in recognition of the local First Nation Peoples who have an interest in the area, a Stage 1, Archaeological Heritage Review (AHR) was conducted and submitted to the FN and the Provincial authorities.
Granting of an updated Exploration Permit was achieved in June 2023 and one aspect was the increased areas available for stripping, particularly in the vicinities of the three historical development areas.
The Sunbeam property is dominated by three mineralised structures all of which host significant gold anomalism as well as historic development, including the Sunbeam high grade gold mine which operated until 1905 and reportedly produced multi ounce material.
Figure 1-Sunbeam Property and the extent of the overall project including the Perry English Option area.
In July 2021, Nuinsco reported grades up to 93.3g/t from a drill programme of eight drill holes totalling 1,091 metres conducted predominantly in the vicinity of the Sunbeam Mine area. The drill programme was a follow up on a surface sampling programme which produced results up to 83.5g/t from underground waste rock from the Sunbeam Mine.
FCM has staked a further 119 claims, covering 25km² and contiguous to the northeast of the English option area.
The newly staked claims remain in good standing for two years before requiring assessment credits derived from field work. Additionally, as they are contiguous to the ‘English Option’ assessment credits can be spread across the new claims.
The rationale for staking the claims was following a recommendation by and discussions with Emerald Geological Services based on geological investigations and conceptualisation inferred from the geology and structures on the existing property.
The Sunbeam property contains three subparallel mineralised structures, each identified over 10km traversing the property; these are inferred to continue to the northeast into the new area where prospective structural features are inferred. FCM now commands a district scale land package of over 70km.
Figure 2 showing the extension of the property with the recent staking.
Roy Zone-Channel Sampling Results Summary
FCM has undertaken two stripping campaigns and the gold (Au) results from the Roy zone are now available. Most of the samples were 1m or less, with a minimum of 0.1m and a maximum of 1.4 m. The results have defined a broad zone of shearing, alteration and mineralization, peaking at 18.8 g/t (ppm) Au in one 0.3m channel sample (within interval of 6.2 ppm Au / 1.05 m).
There are a significant number of other results exceeding 1ppm Au that define the anomalous structure over a strike of 100m between the existing shafts and open along strike. These include: 6.27 ppm Au / 0.35 m in mafic schist with quartz veinlets (within broader interval of 0.94 ppm Au / 3.25 m); 4.98 ppm Au / 0.5 m in sheared porphyry (within broader interval of 3.7 ppm Au / 1.55m); and 5.58 ppm Au / 0.5 m within a quartz vein (See Figure 3)
The high-grade gold mineralisation is hosted in quartz veining in sheared ‘mafics’ within a sheared, folded felsic to intermediate porphyry which often exhibits quartz veining, silicification and ankerite alteration, and which also frequently contains anomalous gold concentrations as noted above.
Figure 3 showing plan of the geology, stripped areas as well as historic workings and gold anomalism from recent channel sampling.
Visible gold was identified in at least one sample at Roy during the sawn channel programme.
Bruce MacLachlan of Emerald Geological Services commented : “The 2023 mechanical stripping and channel sampling programs have enhanced our understanding of the geology and mineralization in these historical target areas, uncovering similar rocks to what past workers would have mined. The data we have obtained will help tremendously in the planning of a maiden drill program for the property.”
Photo 1 showing the area stripped at Roy (looking NE)
The results from the channel sampling at Roy, in conjunction with the encouraging geology encountered in the stripping at both Pettigrew and the Sunbeam mine area validate the Company’s efforts this season to bring the property to drill ready stage. Further results will be announced as they are received. It should be noted that there has been no significant drilling at Roy, furthermore the reported drilling at Pettigrew was encouraging, with Two holes returned significant gold assays:
Hole 57751: 19.4 g/t Au over 0.63m at 5.33m and 15.17 g/t Au over 1.37m at 21.44m.
These results are comparable with the channel sample results from Roy.
Photo 2 showing close up of the channels where visible gold was encountered.
In December 2023 the final payment of $25,000 to exercise the Option over the Perry English claims is due. Currently, FCM intends to proceed with the payment and thereafter the claims will be transferred 100% to First Class Metals Canada Inc. The Company will then have 100% control of a potential district scale property block with multiple structures, hosting potentially high grade gold bearing system, extending over 72km²
ENDS
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James Knowles, Executive Chairman |
07488 362641 |
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Marc J Sale, CEO |
07711 093532 |
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|
Ayub Bodi, Executive Director |
07860 598086 |
First Equity Limited
(Financial Adviser & Broker)
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Jonathan Brown |
0207 3742212 |
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Jason Robertson |
0207 3742212 |
#BRES Blencowe Resources – SPG Test Work Completed
Successful Completion of Orom-Cross Graphite Project SPG Test Phase
Recent testwork has confirmed the quality of Orom-Cross graphite concentrate to generate a high purity SPG product with excellent battery characteristics
Highlights:
· Blencowe has successfully completed critical next-step metallurgical test work with initial stage SPG (“spheronised purified graphite”) upgrading now completed.
· Test work was completed by two separate graphite technical experts to ensure quality control and quality assurance:
o Leading Chinese graphite laboratory at Wuhan University, which realised SPG values of 99.96 wt%C.
o Leading American graphite firm American Energy Technology, which generated SPG with purity values of 99.99 wt%C.
· These results prove that Orom-Cross graphite can upgrade into one of the purist SPG products, which will strengthen offtake negotiations and ultimately deliver more value to the project.
· Additional metallurgical test work proceeding with samples of uncoated SPG and other flake sizes distributed to potential off-takers and battery manufacturers.
Executive Chairman Cameron Pearce commented:
“The ultimate pre-qualification test for all graphite is how the concentrate upgrades to the 99.95% SPG product that then gets coated before going into the anode within the lithium-ion battery, and I am delighted to present these outstanding results above, which indicate that exceptional SPG products will be produced from Orom-Cross. Not only are we at the highest levels on most relevant indicators but testing has shown we can deliver other valuable products from waste material generated within the process which further strengthens our commercial model.”
Mr Pearce added “We are into one of the most important aspects of our Definitive Feasibility Study, where these tests ultimately prove the quality of the various end products we will produce, and therefore determine offtake interest and contracts. Passing these tests with flying colours is further proof that Orom-Cross is a standout project, and in a world where graphite is becoming increasingly under the spotlight as the supply chain tightens, this is of significant value.”
Blencowe Resources Plc (“Blencowe” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce that additional test work on its Orom-Cross graphite project in Northern Uganda has been completed by two leading graphite technical specialist laboratories in both China and United States. Wuhan University in conjunction with Qingdao Jinhui Graphite Co., Ltd in China and American Energy Technologies Company (AETC) in Illinois are both industry experts in the field of upgrading graphite concentrate to uncoated battery-ready SPG product. This work is critical to understanding the commercial potential of the fines concentrate specifically for utilisation as anode materials in the lithium-ion batteries for EVs (electric vehicles) and wider rechargeable battery markets.
In line with this testwork flow sheet, graphite concentrate, which is comprised of robust and thick natural flakes, was first purified then converted into a range of value-added graphite products, with a major focus on the production of spherical uncoated and spherical surface-coated materials intended for use in lithium-ion battery anodes.
Wuhan University in conjunction with Qingdao Jinhui Graphite Co., Ltd (one of the largest SPG producers in China) have completed preliminary assessment of Orom-Cross fine concentrates with the generation and subsequent testing of uncoated SPG products, following the recent 100t pilot test program. The resultant testwork has delivered an uncoated SPG product with a 99.96% purity and outstanding size distribution and characteristics. The samples generated by Wuhan University have been forwarded to battery manufacturers for coating and initial battery testing.
In parallel Blencowe also commissioned AETC to complete an assessment of the SPG potential of the Orom-Cross product. This testing was completed at the AETC facilities in Chicago utilising their Thermal Conversion Process. The value-added downstream processing of concentrate from Orom-Cross has occurred in accordance with the inverted flow sheet practiced by AETC which is unique in the market. Blencowe chose AETC to undertake comparable testwork in part due to its capacity to deliver the uncoated, coated and battery testwork within a non-acid production process. Producing SPG products in a non-acid process would have profound environmental advantages that would boost Orom-Cross’s ESG credentials substantially.
After purifying the material using high temperature (but no acid or alkaline treatment) to a level of 99.99 wt% C, AETC subjected it to spheroidisation and classification. The resultant graphite has a very impressive tap density (read ‘energy density’) of 1.1 g/cm3, with a surface area of <10 m2/g. Both of these indicators highlight an extremely high grade end product.
The uncoated graphite was tested in the industry-standard CR2016 coin cells v. Li/Li+ counter electrode at C/10 charge-discharge rate. The material was seen to deliver very impressive reversible capacity of 367.58 mAh/g which is defined as “near theoretical” electrochemical performance, considering that theoretical capacity is 372 mAh, and hardly any graphite has been able to achieve this historically in practical applications. This indicator alone ranks Orom-Cross graphite as high as any other SPG product elsewhere.
The uncoated material was also surface-coated to form CSPG (“coated spheronised purified graphite”), which is the ultimate form of battery-ready graphite that goes into the anode. Application of surface coating makes batteries that use such graphite safer; additionally, graphite anodes which are composed of surface-coated graphite tend to have lower irreversible capacity loss, a key property linked to management of electrolyte levels inside an operating lithium-ion battery.
The coated material was put into batteries and subjected to short and long-term cycling. The carbon-coated version of this graphite displayed excellent electrochemical performance, with a reversible capacity loss and reversible capacity constituting near theoretical electrochemical behaviour which positions the material from Blencowe into the class of super-premium anode grade graphite for use in lithium-ion battery anodes.
The long-term cycling of this material has retained an excellent stability of performance characteristics as a function of cycle life, having scored a very low 1.39% degradation. Testwork suggests that Orom-Cross graphite can support 1,438 cycles while the United States ABC requirement for EV batteries is 1,000 charge-discharge cycles. Therefore, with nearly 50% additional cycles, the Orom-Cross material is again highlighting its premium quality and is ideally suited for application in the lithium-ion battery anodes.
It is worth noting that the non-spherical portion of Blencowe’s graphite (which accounted for approximately 25.6% of feed into the AETC spheroidising process) generated expanded delaminated graphite and spheroidisation process rejects, which were formulated into the composition of alkaline, lead acid batteries and an electrically conductive can coating. In all instances, the non-spherical portion of Blencowe’s material offered outstanding performance, positioning Blencowe for cost leadership in that there is a strong likelihood that near 100% of all the graphite which enters a downstream processing circuit will find use in value-added applications within batteries.
Blencowe is now proceeding with additional metallurgical test work with additional samples of uncoated SPG and other flake sizes distributed to potential off-takers and battery manufacturers for upgrades to large flake as well as opportunities for utilisation of SPG wastes.
For further information please contact:
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Blencowe Resources Plc Sam Quinn |
www.blencoweresourcesplc.com Tel: +44 (0)1624 681 250
|
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Investor Relations Sasha Sethi |
Tel: +44 (0) 7891 677 441
|
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Tavira Financial Jonathan Evans |
Tel: +44 (0)20 3192 1733 jonathan.evans@tavira.group
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First Equity Limited Jason Robertson |
Tel: +44(0)20 7330 1833 |
#KAV Kavango Resources Plc – Publication of Prospectus
Further to the announcement of 9 May 2023 in which Kavango announced it had conditionally raised £6,000,000 before expenses by the two stage issue of 600,000,000 new ordinary shares of £0.001 each in the capital of the Company (the “New Ordinary Shares”) at a price per share of 1.0 pence, the Company is pleased to announce that the Financial Conduct Authority has approved its prospectus dated 26 October 2023 (the “Prospectus”) issued in connection with the Stage 2 Subscription of 460,000,000 New Ordinary Shares (the “Stage 2 Subscription Shares”).
The Prospectus has been published in electronic form and will shortly be available on the Company’s website at:
https://www.kavangoresources.com/investor-relations/admission-document
A copy of the Prospectus has also been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at
https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism
Admission and Total Voting Rights
Application will be made for the Stage 2 Subscription Shares to be admitted to the Standard List segment of the Official List and to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange plc (“Admission”). It is expected that Admission will become effective and that dealings in the Stage 2 Subscription Shares will commence at 8.00 am on 31 October 2023.
Following Admission, the total issued share capital of the Company will consist of 1,305,569,314 ordinary shares. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 1,305,569,314 and this figure may be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change in their interest, in the share capital of the Company.
Further information in respect of the Company and its business interests is provided on the Company’s website at www.kavangoresources.com and on X at #KAV.
For further information please contact:
Kavango Resources plc
Ben Turney bturney@kavangoresources.com
+46 7697 406 06
First Equity (Broker)
+44 207 374 2212
Jason Robertson
#GRX GreenX Metals – Notice of AGM
GreenX Metals Limited (the Company) advises that its Annual General Meeting (Meeting) will be held on Wednesday, 22 November 2023 at 10:00am (AWST) at the Conference Room, Ground Floor, 28 The Esplanade, Perth, Western Australia 6000.
In accordance with 110D of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Company will not be dispatching physical copies of the Notice of Meeting (unless a shareholder has elected to receive documents in hard copy in accordance with the timeframe specified in section 110E(8) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)).
A copy of the Notice of Meeting can be viewed and downloaded online as follows:
· the Company’s website: https://greenxmetals.com/investors/announcements/.
· the Company’s ASX Market announcements page at www.asx.com.au under the Company’s ASX code “GRX”; or
· if you have provided an email address and have elected to receive electronic communications from the Company, you will receive an email to your nominated email address with a link to an electronic copy of the Notice of Meeting.
The Company intends to hold a physical meeting. The Company will notify shareholders of any changes to this by way of an announcement and the details will also be made available on our website.
The Notice of Meeting is important and should be read in its entirety. If you are in doubt as to the course of action you should follow, you should consult your stock broker, investment advisor, accountant, solicitor or other professional adviser.
You may also, prior to the Meeting, obtain a paper copy of the Notice of Meeting (free of charge) by contacting the Company Secretary on +61 8 9322 6322 or by sending an email to info@greenxmetals.com.
Holders of Depositary Interests should complete and sign a separate Form of Instruction and return it by the time and in accordance with the instructions set out in the Form of Instruction. Holders on the Warsaw Stock Exchange should contact their brokers to submit their vote for the Meeting. Holders of Depositary Interests and holders on the Warsaw Stock Exchange will not be eligible to vote in person at the Meeting.
How do I update my communications preferences?
Shareholders can still elect to receive some or all of their communications in physical or electronic form or elect not to receive certain documents such as annual reports. To review your communications preferences, or sign up to receive your shareholder communications via email, please update your communication preferences with Computershare at https://www-au.computershare.com/Investor/#Home or contact your broker.
Classification: 3.1 Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of a Member State
For further information please contact:
Dylan Browne
Company Secretary
+61 8 9322 6322