LEADING EDGE MATERIALS TARGETS CREATION OPTIONS FOR WOXNA GRAPHITE
Leading Edge Materials (LEMIF) provides an update on its 100% owned Woxna Graphite Mine in Europe. The company highlights the strategic importance of Woxna amid growing concerns over natural graphite supply security and increasing demand. According to Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, natural graphite demand is projected to grow 140% by 2030, requiring an additional 1.7 million tonnes and at least 31 new mines globally.
Woxna, one of the few fully built and permitted graphite mines in Europe, includes the Kringelgruvan Exploitation Concession and three satellite deposits containing over 1 million tonnes of graphite. The company plans to update its 2022 processing plant upgrade study in Q2, focusing on producing high-quality flake graphite concentrate. While the Anode Project 2021 remains a long-term option, the immediate focus is on restarting production and securing the mine's role in the European graphite supply chain.
Leading Edge Materials (LEMIF) fornisce un aggiornamento sulla sua miniera di grafite Woxna, di proprietà al 100% in Europa. L'azienda sottolinea l'importanza strategica di Woxna in mezzo alle crescenti preoccupazioni riguardo alla sicurezza dell'approvvigionamento di grafite naturale e all'aumento della domanda. Secondo Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, si prevede che la domanda di grafite naturale crescerà del 140% entro il 2030, richiedendo ulteriori 1,7 milioni di tonnellate e almeno 31 nuove miniere a livello globale.
Woxna, una delle poche miniere di grafite completamente costruite e autorizzate in Europa, include la Concessione di Sfruttamento Kringelgruvan e tre depositi satellitari contenenti oltre 1 milione di tonnellate di grafite. L'azienda prevede di aggiornare il suo studio di potenziamento dell'impianto di lavorazione del 2022 nel secondo trimestre, concentrandosi sulla produzione di concentrato di grafite a fiocchi di alta qualità. Mentre il Progetto Anodo 2021 rimane un'opzione a lungo termine, l'attenzione immediata è rivolta alla ripresa della produzione e alla sicurezza del ruolo della miniera nella catena di approvvigionamento di grafite europea.
Leading Edge Materials (LEMIF) proporciona una actualización sobre su mina de grafito Woxna, de propiedad 100% en Europa. La compañía destaca la importancia estratégica de Woxna en medio de las crecientes preocupaciones sobre la seguridad del suministro de grafito natural y la creciente demanda. Según Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, se proyecta que la demanda de grafito natural crecerá un 140% para 2030, requiriendo 1,7 millones de toneladas adicionales y al menos 31 nuevas minas a nivel mundial.
Woxna, una de las pocas minas de grafito completamente construidas y autorizadas en Europa, incluye la Concesión de Explotación Kringelgruvan y tres depósitos satélites que contienen más de 1 millón de toneladas de grafito. La compañía planea actualizar su estudio de modernización de la planta de procesamiento de 2022 en el segundo trimestre, enfocándose en producir concentrado de grafito en escamas de alta calidad. Mientras que el Proyecto Ánodo 2021 sigue siendo una opción a largo plazo, el enfoque inmediato está en reiniciar la producción y asegurar el papel de la mina en la cadena de suministro de grafito en Europa.
리딩 엣지 소재 (LEMIF)는 유럽에 있는 100% 소유의 웍스나 흑연 광산에 대한 업데이트를 제공합니다. 이 회사는 자연 흑연 공급 안전성에 대한 우려가 커지고 증가하는 수요 속에서 웍스나의 전략적 중요성을 강조합니다. 벤치마크 광물 정보에 따르면, 자연 흑연 수요는 2030년까지 140% 증가할 것으로 예상되며, 추가로 170만 톤과 최소 31개의 신규 광산이 전 세계적으로 필요할 것입니다.
웍스나는 유럽에서 완전히 건설되고 허가된 몇 안 되는 흑연 광산 중 하나로, 크링겔그루반 착취 허가와 100만 톤 이상의 흑연을 포함하는 세 개의 위성 매장지가 있습니다. 이 회사는 2022년 가공 공장 업그레이드 연구를 2분기에 업데이트할 계획이며, 고품질 플레이트 흑연 농축물 생산에 집중할 것입니다. 2021년 음극 프로젝트는 장기 옵션으로 남아 있지만, 즉각적인 초점은 생산 재개와 유럽 흑연 공급망에서의 광산 역할 확보에 있습니다.
Leading Edge Materials (LEMIF) fournit une mise à jour sur sa mine de graphite Woxna, détenue à 100% en Europe. L'entreprise souligne l'importance stratégique de Woxna face aux préoccupations croissantes concernant la sécurité de l'approvisionnement en graphite naturel et à la demande croissante. Selon Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, la demande de graphite naturel devrait augmenter de 140% d'ici 2030, nécessitant 1,7 million de tonnes supplémentaires et au moins 31 nouvelles mines dans le monde.
Woxna, l'une des rares mines de graphite entièrement construites et autorisées en Europe, comprend la concession d'exploitation de Kringelgruvan et trois dépôts satellites contenant plus de 1 million de tonnes de graphite. L'entreprise prévoit de mettre à jour son étude de modernisation de l'usine de traitement de 2022 au deuxième trimestre, en se concentrant sur la production de concentré de graphite en flocons de haute qualité. Bien que le projet Anode 2021 reste une option à long terme, l'accent immédiat est mis sur la reprise de la production et la sécurisation du rôle de la mine dans la chaîne d'approvisionnement en graphite en Europe.
Leading Edge Materials (LEMIF) gibt ein Update zu seiner Woxna-Grafitmine, die zu 100% in Europa im Besitz ist. Das Unternehmen hebt die strategische Bedeutung von Woxna inmitten wachsender Bedenken hinsichtlich der Sicherheit der Naturgrafitversorgung und der steigenden Nachfrage hervor. Laut Benchmark Minerals Intelligence wird erwartet, dass die Nachfrage nach Naturgrafit bis 2030 um 140% steigen wird, was zusätzliche 1,7 Millionen Tonnen und mindestens 31 neue Minen weltweit erfordert.
Woxna, eine der wenigen vollständig gebauten und genehmigten Grafitminen in Europa, umfasst die Kringelgruvan-Bergbaulizenz und drei Satellitenvorkommen mit über 1 Million Tonnen Grafit. Das Unternehmen plant, seine Studie zur Aufrüstung der Verarbeitungsanlage von 2022 im zweiten Quartal zu aktualisieren, wobei der Fokus auf der Produktion von hochwertigem Flake-Grafitkonzentrat liegt. Während das Anodenprojekt 2021 eine langfristige Option bleibt, liegt der unmittelbare Fokus auf der Wiederaufnahme der Produktion und der Sicherstellung der Rolle der Mine in der europäischen Grafitlieferkette.
- Owns fully built and permitted graphite mine with over 1 million tonnes of graphite resources
- Strategic positioning in European market amid growing demand (140% projected growth by 2030)
- Potential access to EU funding and support under Critical Raw Materials Act
- Processing plant upgrade study update planned for Q2
- Production currently suspended/on care and maintenance status
- Anode Project 2021 development currently on hold
- Requires additional financing for production restart
LEADING EDGE MATERIALS TARGETS VALUE CREATION OPTIONS FOR WOXNA GRAPHITE
Vancouver, February 16, 2025 – Leading Edge Materials Corp. (“Leading Edge Materials” or the “Company”) (TSXV: LEM) (Nasdaq First North: LEMSE) (OTCQB: LEMIF) provides an update for the
Security of Supply
The drive for secure and stable supply chains is shaping the European natural flake graphite market, bringing existing production assets like Woxna into focus. Woxna is free to serve both the anode and industrial markets and could be positioned as a key regional supplier.
On 9 February, the IEA published a commentary ‘Growing geopolitical tensions underscore the need for stronger action on critical minerals security’. In the coverage, the IEA commented that ‘Today's markets may be relatively well supplied, but security of supply is far from guaranteed. Trade restrictions affecting critical minerals have proliferated, notably in the form of export controls applied by China’ and in the case of natural graphite ‘Reliance on a small number of suppliers increases vulnerability to shocks and disruptions, even in a well-supplied market’.
Rising Demand
On January 30, 2025, Benchmark Minerals Intelligence published research highlighting the
Policy Momentum in the European Union
2024 marked a turning point for European raw materials policy, with the EU taking decisive steps to secure domestic supply chains. On March 18, 2024, the European Council adopted the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), a key initiative aimed at developing and supporting critical raw materials projects across the region. This policy shift strengthens the case for utilizing existing, permitted graphite resources within Europe.
Woxna’s Strategic Positioning
Woxna is among the few fully built and permitted graphite mines in the region. It includes the Kringelgruvan Exploitation Concession and three additional satellite deposits—Månsberg, Gropabo, and Mattsmyra—containing over 1 million tonnes of graphite. With its established infrastructure and strategic location, Woxna is well-positioned to play a significant role in regional graphite production.
Pathway to Production Restart
In recent months, interest in restarting Woxna’s flake graphite production has grown. An in-house study conducted in early 2022 evaluated processing plant upgrades to produce high-quality flake graphite concentrate for the market. This study will be updated in the second quarter. The Company believes the updated business plan could support discussions around project financing, customer pre-payments, and potential Swedish or European public funding.
Opportunities for Forward Integration
Beyond production, the Company sees potential for moving downstream and collaborating with offtakers to add value through further processing. Such agreements would provide offtakers with a secure and stable graphite supply, reinforcing their ability to meet end-user demands.
Anode Project 2021 – A Future Option
While the Anode Project 2021 remains a viable long-term opportunity, it is not currently being pursued. The Company’s primary focus remains on a sustainable restart of Woxna’s production and securing the mine’s role in the European graphite supply chain.
Kurt Budge, Chief Executive Officer, writes:
“In today’s world, one message rings clear for critical raw materials—security of supply is paramount. With rising geopolitical tensions and the increasing weaponization of trade through tariffs and export restrictions, the urgency to establish short, regional supply chains has never been greater.
Woxna stands at the forefront of this shift, positioned for a potential production restart—a move that aligns with possible forward integration opportunities. Importantly, the Company believes this restart could be financed with Green Transition funding.
Momentum for Swedish graphite is also growing. In October, Talga Group secured a
"We have large graphite deposits in Sweden that could account for much of what we [Sweden] and Europe need for our cars and batteries."
Woxna has been maintained in production-ready status for years, and now, the Company is growing in confidence that its strategic investment in care and maintenance could be about to pay off. The future is looking brighter.”
Leading Edge Materials Announces Positive Preliminary Economic Assessment Results for its Woxna Graphite Anode Project With US
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Leading Edge Materials Corp.
Kurt Budge, CEO
For further information, please contact the Company at:
1.604.685.9316
info@leadingedgematerials.com
www.leadingedgematerials.com
About Leading Edge Materials
Leading Edge Materials is a Canadian public company focused on developing a portfolio of critical raw material projects located in the European Union. Critical raw materials are determined as such by the European Union based on their economic importance and supply risk. They are directly linked to high growth technologies such as lithium-ion batteries and permanent magnets for electric motors and wind power that underpin the sustainability transition of society. The portfolio of projects includes the
Additional Information
The information was submitted for publication through the agency of the contact person set out above, on February 16, 2025, at 11:30 PM Vancouver time.
Leading Edge Materials is listed on the TSXV under the symbol “LEM”, OTCQB under the symbol “LEMIF” and Nasdaq First North Stockholm under the symbol “LEMSE”. Mangold Fondkommission AB is the Company’s Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North and may be contacted via email CA@mangold.se or by phone +46 (0) 8 5030 1550.
Reader Advisory
This news release may contain statements which constitute “forward-looking information”, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company’s future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, changes in the Company’s intended use of proceeds from the Private Placement, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
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FAQ
What is the projected growth in natural graphite demand by 2030 affecting LEMIF?
How much graphite resources does LEMIF's Woxna mine contain?
When will LEMIF update its Woxna processing plant upgrade study?
What is the current status of LEMIF's Anode Project 2021?
What are LEMIF's potential financing options for restarting Woxna production?
