Positive Testwork Results For Namangale Expandable Graphite

HIGHLIGHTS

Testwork on Bunyu North concentrate highlighted its suitability for producing expandable graphite
Enhances the scalability and commercial viability of the entire Bunyu deposit as a primary expandable graphite supplier
Excellent expansion results for fine flake and powder

INTRODUCTION

Volt Resources Limited (ASX: VRC), (“Volt” or the “Company”) is pleased to report that ongoing testwork on Bunyu North graphite concentrate by the German metallurgical laboratory, which previously reviewed Bunyu South¹ samples, confirms its suitability for making expandable graphite for a wide range of downstream applications. This is timely as it follows on from the four recent offtake and cooperation agreements signed with Chinese groups which are primarily focused on expandable graphite¹.

POSITIVE TESTWORK SUPPORTS RECENT OFFTAKE AGREEMENTS

Inaugural testwork undertaken on Bunyu North graphite concentrate by the German metallurgical laboratory, which previously tested Bunyu South samples², confirmed its suitability for producing expandable graphite for a wide variety of applications including flame retardant building material, graphite foil and flame retardant textiles which require finer expandable flake and powder graphite.

This outcome is very positive for Volt, as it means the mine plan can be optimised to source ore from any part of the project mineral resource to meet customer demand for expandable graphite. Demand for expandable graphite is increasing significantly, primarily for it’s non toxic flame retardant qualities and coupled with the reduction in supply from Chinese mines, this is creating an increase in graphite prices.

Testwork results

The German metallurgical laboratory performed a range of tests on the Bunyu North graphite concentrate samples under two different scenarios: [A] standard tests using the most economic and efficient process to produce expandable graphite; and [B] repeats of the same process with hydrated zinc sulphate added. The results follow:

Test [A]: Expansion volume after cold treatment and medium retention time

Flake size	> 500 µm	> 300 µm	> 180 µm	> 106 µm	> 75 µm	< 75µm
	> 35 mesh	> 50 mesh	> 80 mesh	> 150 mesh	> 200 mesh	< 200#
Room Temp	2 cm³/g	2 cm³/g	2 cm³/g	3 cm³/g	3 cm³/g	3 cm³/g
800 °C	370 cm³/g	300 cm³/g	250cm³/g	170cm³/g	110cm³/g	70cm³/g
1000 °C	430 cm³/g	430 cm³/g	330 cm³/g	230 cm³/g	150 cm³/g	75cm³/g

Key findings from test [A] highlighted:

The sample was highly suitable to produce expandable graphite with a large expansion volume;
No calcium carbonate was detected which is crucially important for many applications but especially in the refractory industry;
Compared with rival samples from China, the expandability results for Volt’s flake are superior; and
Overall, test [A] results demonstrate that flake graphite from Bunyu North can produce high quality expandable graphite for multiple downstream applications.

For Test [B], the addition of a small amount of hydrated zinc sulphate materially increased the expansion of finer flake and powder sizes, as shown below:

Test [B]: Expansion volume after cold treatment and medium retention time (with zinc sulphate added)

Flake size	> 500 µm	> 300 µm	> 180 µm	> 106 µm	> 75 µm	< 75µm
	> 35 mesh	> 50 mesh	> 80 mesh	> 150 mesh	> 200 mesh	< 200#
Room Temp	2 cm³/g	2 cm³/g	2 cm³/g	4 cm³/g	4 cm³/g	5 cm³/g
800 °C	390 cm³/g	310 cm³/g	320cm³/g	315cm³/g	210cm³/g
1000 °C	450 cm³/g	420 cm³/g	420 cm³/g	320 cm³/g	240 cm³/g	170cm³/g

The key findings from test [B] highlighted:

Expansion of expandable graphite started at 200°C;
Medium/fine sized flakes (>106µm) and powders have a materially larger expansion volume than expandable graphite without the addition of zinc sulphate as an ancillary intercalation reagent;
Fine flake and powder with a flake size <75µm from Bunyu North achieved much higher average expansion rates (170cm³/g) then comparable rival samples that originated in China (average 40-46cm³/g); and
Due to its high expandability when zinc sulphate is used, the fine flake and powder from Bunyu North can be used in a wide range of downstream applications including – flame retarding for textiles (self-extinguishing carpets/underlays, suits for firefighters), artificial leather for briefcases and other fire protection uses where smooth surfaces are important.

Chief Executive Officer, Trevor Matthews commented:

“Confirmation that Bunyu North graphite concentrate is suitable for a wide array of expandable graphite applications is timely, given the recent offtake and cooperation agreements signed by Volt. These results provide Volt’s metallurgists and engineers with a more flexible platform to efficiently optimise the most economic development and operation plans for Stage 1 and Stage 2 production across the entire Bunyu deposit.

Conclusion

The Board is pleased with the encouraging metallurgical results for Bunyu North graphite concentrate and its high suitability for making expandable graphite. This will enable Volt’s team to prepare a highly efficient and versatile development plan that factors in the entire Bunyu deposit for delivering graphite concentrate suitable to meet all client requirements.

For and on behalf of Volt Resources Limited

Trevor Matthews
Chief Executive Officer

– FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY –
For further information please contact:

Trevor Matthews – Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +61 8 9486 7788

Peter Nesveda – Corporate Affairs, Australian & International Investor Relations Consultant
Tel: +61 3 9504 8420

1 Refer to Volt’s ASX announcements “Cooperation Agreement with Leading Chinese Graphite Group” 22 May 2017, “Cooperation Agreement with CNBM” 16 June 2017, “Offtake Agreement with Major Graphite Distributor” 23 June 2017, “Offtake Agreement Fills Stage 1 Capacity” 17 July 2017.

² Refer to Volt’s ASX Announcement “Bunyu concentrate suitable for production of commercial grade expandable graphite” – 19 January 2017

POSITIVE TESTWORK RESULTS FOR BUNYU EXPANDABLE GRAPHITE