Zentek Subsidiary Albany Graphite Corp. Provides Update on Thermal Purification Testwork Results
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) announced new results from fluidized bed reactor (FBR) testwork conducted by its subsidiary Albany Graphite Corp. The tests revealed that rare earth elements (REEs) can be recovered as a by-product during the thermal purification process of graphite.
Key findings show that purification performed on an ~950g sample of Albany flotation concentrate (85% Total Graphitic Carbon) achieved 99.9991% purity without intermediate hydrometallurgical steps. Impurity elements, including REEs, were successfully collected and concentrated in the FBR exhaust scrubber.
The company plans to further investigate the REE potential of the Albany graphite deposit and tailings, while also exploring graphite production for battery-ready anode material, cathode conductivity enhancement, and ultra-high purity graphite for nuclear applications. The Albany Graphite Project is located near Hearst, Ontario, with access to key infrastructure.
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) ha annunciato nuovi risultati provenienti dai test condotti con reattori a letto fluido (FBR) dalla sua controllata Albany Graphite Corp. I test hanno rivelato che gli elementi delle terre rare (REE) possono essere recuperati come sottoprodotto durante il processo di purificazione termica della grafite.
I risultati chiave mostrano che la purificazione effettuata su un campione di ~950g di concentrato di flottazione di Albany (85% Carbonio Grafitico Totale) ha raggiunto una purezza del 99,9991% senza passaggi idrometallurgici intermedi. Gli elementi di impurità, inclusi gli REE, sono stati raccolti e concentrati con successo nello scrubber di scarico del FBR.
L'azienda prevede di indagare ulteriormente il potenziale degli REE nel giacimento di grafite di Albany e nei residui, esplorando anche la produzione di grafite per materiale anodico pronto per batterie, miglioramento della conduttività del catodo e grafite ultrapura per applicazioni nucleari. Il Progetto Albany Graphite si trova vicino a Hearst, Ontario, con accesso a infrastrutture chiave.
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) anunció nuevos resultados de pruebas realizadas con reactores de lecho fluidizado (FBR) por su filial Albany Graphite Corp. Las pruebas revelaron que los elementos de tierras raras (REE) pueden ser recuperados como subproducto durante el proceso de purificación térmica del grafito.
Los hallazgos clave muestran que la purificación realizada en una muestra de ~950g de concentrado de flotación de Albany (85% Carbono Grafítico Total) logró una pureza del 99,9991% sin pasos hidrometalúrgicos intermedios. Los elementos de impureza, incluidos los REE, fueron recolectados y concentrados con éxito en el scrubber de escape del FBR.
La compañía planea investigar más a fondo el potencial de REE del depósito de grafito de Albany y los relaves, mientras explora también la producción de grafito para material de ánodo listo para baterías, mejora de la conductividad del cátodo y grafito de ultra alta pureza para aplicaciones nucleares. El Proyecto Albany Graphite está ubicado cerca de Hearst, Ontario, con acceso a infraestructura clave.
젠텍 (NASDAQ:ZTEK)은 자회사인 앨버니 그래파이트 코퍼레이션이 수행한 유동층 반응기(FBR) 테스트의 새로운 결과를 발표했습니다. 테스트 결과 희토류 원소(REE)가 그래파이트의 열 정제 과정에서 부산물로 회수될 수 있음을 보여주었습니다.
주요 발견 사항은 앨버니 플로테이션 농축물(~950g 샘플, 총 그래픽 탄소 85%)에 대한 정제가 중간 수화물 처리 단계 없이 99.9991% 순도에 도달했다는 것입니다. REE를 포함한 불순물 원소는 FBR 배기 스크러버에서 성공적으로 수집 및 농축되었습니다.
회사는 앨버니 그래파이트 매장지와 찌꺼기의 REE 잠재성을 추가로 조사할 계획이며, 배터리 준비가 완료된 음극 재료, 양극 전도성 향상 및 핵 응용을 위한 초고순도 그래파이트 생산도 탐색하고 있습니다. 앨버니 그래파이트 프로젝트는 온타리오주 히어스트 근처에 위치하고 있으며, 주요 인프라에 접근할 수 있습니다.
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) a annoncé de nouveaux résultats provenant des tests réalisés avec des réacteurs à lit fluidisé (FBR) par sa filiale Albany Graphite Corp. Les tests ont révélé que les éléments des terres rares (REE) peuvent être récupérés comme sous-produit lors du processus de purification thermique du graphite.
Les résultats clés montrent que la purification effectuée sur un échantillon d'environ 950 g de concentré de flottation d'Albany (85 % de carbone graphitique total) a atteint une pureté de 99,9991 % sans étapes hydrométallurgiques intermédiaires. Les éléments d'impureté, y compris les REE, ont été collectés et concentrés avec succès dans le scrubber des gaz d'échappement du FBR.
L'entreprise prévoit d'explorer plus avant le potentiel des REE du gisement de graphite d'Albany et des résidus, tout en envisageant également la production de graphite pour des matériaux d'anode prêts pour les batteries, l'amélioration de la conductivité des cathodes et du graphite ultra-pur pour des applications nucléaires. Le projet Albany Graphite est situé près de Hearst, en Ontario, avec un accès à des infrastructures clés.
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) hat neue Ergebnisse aus Tests mit Wirbelschichtreaktoren (FBR) bekannt gegeben, die von ihrer Tochtergesellschaft Albany Graphite Corp. durchgeführt wurden. Die Tests zeigten, dass seltene Erden (REE) als Nebenprodukt während des thermischen Reinigungsprozesses von Graphit zurückgewonnen werden können.
Wichtige Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Reinigung an einer ~950g Probe des Albany-Flotationskonzentrats (85% Gesamtgrafitkohlenstoff) eine Reinheit von 99,9991% ohne Zwischenstufen der hydrometallurgischen Verarbeitung erreichte. Verunreinigende Elemente, einschließlich REE, wurden erfolgreich im Abgasabscheider des FBR gesammelt und konzentriert.
Das Unternehmen plant, das REE-Potenzial des Albany-Graphitvorkommens und der Abfälle weiter zu untersuchen und gleichzeitig die Graphitproduktion für batteriefertige Anodenmaterialien, die Verbesserung der Kathodenleitfähigkeit und ultra-reines Graphit für nukleare Anwendungen zu erforschen. Das Albany-Graphitprojekt befindet sich in der Nähe von Hearst, Ontario, mit Zugang zu wichtigen Infrastrukturen.
- Achieved 99.9991% graphite purity through thermal purification process
- Discovery of recoverable rare earth elements as valuable by-product
- Potential new revenue stream from REE recovery could offset purification costs
- Strategic location near key infrastructure including roads, rail, and power
- Mineral Resources and assay database currently lack REE values
- Significant detailed work required before REE potential can be validated
Insights
The latest results from Zentek's Albany Graphite project represent a significant technological breakthrough in graphite processing. The achievement of 99.9991% purity through fluidized bed reactor (FBR) technology is particularly noteworthy, as this level of purity is essential for high-value applications in nuclear and advanced battery materials. The direct purification process, requiring no intermediate hydrometallurgical steps, suggests potential for lower production costs and reduced environmental impact compared to conventional methods.
The discovery that rare earth elements can be recovered as by-products during purification adds a compelling dimension to the project's economics. REEs are critical materials for various high-tech applications, and their recovery could provide a significant secondary revenue stream while effectively subsidizing the graphite purification costs. The project's strategic location near the Trans-Canada Highway, with access to established infrastructure including power and natural gas, further strengthens its commercial viability by potentially reducing operational costs.
The company's planned exploration of both battery anode and cathode conductivity enhancement materials positions it to target multiple high-growth markets. The ultra-high purity levels achieved could command premium pricing in specialized applications, particularly in the nuclear sector where purity requirements are extremely stringent. However, it's important to note that significant work remains to fully characterize the REE content and establish consistent recovery processes before this potential can be realized.
GUELPH, ON / ACCESS Newswire / February 14, 2025 / Zentek Ltd. ("Zentek" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:ZTEK)(TSX-V:ZEN), an intellectual property technology development and commercialization company is pleased to announce, further to its press release dated January 8, 2025, that its wholly owned subsidiary, Albany Graphite Corp. ("AGC") has received additional results from the fluidized bed reactor ("FBR") testwork. These results indicate that rare earth elements ("REE") and other elements of interest can be recovered as a by-product of the thermal purification process.
Highlights
Purification was performed utilizing an FBR directly on a ~950 g sample of the Albany flotation concentrate (
85% Total Graphitic Carbon ("TGC")) with no intermediate hydrometallurgical steps and yielded99.9991% purityImpurity elements, including REEs, removed from the flotation concentrate during the purification process were collected and concentrated in the scrubber that handles all the FBR exhaust products
Zentek will continue to investigate the REE potential of the Albany graphite deposit and tailings
The Company also plans on exploring both production and processing of graphite to create a battery-ready anode active material and a cathode conductivity enhancement material, as well as ultra-high purity graphite for nuclear applications
Next Steps
Zentek intends to continue to investigate the REE potential of the Albany graphite deposit and send samples of unprocessed Albany mineralization and tailings material for additional elemental analyses to verify their REE content and determine if there is any consistency within the two pipes, which REEs are enriched, and also provide an estimate of their average concentrations. Additional detailed sampling and verification would include analyzing the pulps and core from representative drill holes and the insertion of certified reference materials into the sample stream. It should be noted that the Mineral Resources and assay database do not currently include REE values and much detailed work is required before they can be considered.
Additionally, the ultra-high purity graphite will be evaluated for its suitability for both the lithium-ion battery and nuclear markets. This will require post-processing of thermally purified graphite and its testing in battery cells, as well as against the specifications of commercially available nuclear industry graphite material. Zentek has received quotations from the manufacturing company to complete this testwork.
Greg Fenton, CEO of Zentek and Albany Graphite Corp., commented: "This is an exciting development as we continue to gather information on the potential of the Albany project. The REEs and other elements that could be recovered during the purification process and potentially from the tailings could be a new by-product and help to offset the purification costs."
Mr. Peter Wood, P.Eng., P.Geo., Vice President, Development of AGC, a "Qualified Person" under NI 43-101, has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release.
Overview of the Albany Graphite Project
The Albany Graphite Project, an igneous-hosted fluid-derived graphite deposit located in Claim Block 4F, comprised of 521 mining claims (461 single-cell claims and 60 boundary-cell claims) is at an advanced exploration stage. The project is located west of the communities of Constance Lake First Nation ("CLFN") and Hearst, Ontario, within 30 km of the Trans-Canada Highway, close to established infrastructure including roads, rail, power transmission lines, and a natural gas pipeline.
About Zentek Ltd.
Zentek is an ISO 13485:2016 certified intellectual property technology company focused on the research, development and commercialization of novel products seeking to give the Company's commercial partners a competitive advantage by making their products better, safer, and greener.
Zentek's patented technology platform ZenGUARD™ is shown to have enhanced viral filtration efficiency for surgical masks and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. Zentek's ZenGUARD™ production facility is located in Guelph, Ontario
Zentek has a global exclusive license to the Aptamer-based platform technology developed by McMaster University which is being jointly developed Zentek and McMaster for both the diagnostic and therapeutic markets.
For further information:
investorrelations@zentek.com
Ryan Shacklock
Tel: (306) 270-9610
Email: rshacklock@zentek.com
To find out more about Zentek, please visit our website at www.Zentek.com. A copy of this news release and all material documents in respect of the Company may be obtained on Zentek's SEDAR profile at http://www.sedar.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although Zentek believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Zentek disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
Neither the 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.
SOURCE: Zentek
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
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