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| Lincoln Minerals |
Recent testwork on material from Lincoln Minerals’ Kookaburra graphite project in South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula has delivered strong results, confirming the project's potential to supply battery-grade graphite for lithium-ion battery anodes.
Graphite concentrate samples, averaging 94.92% total graphitic carbon (TGC), were processed by Classifier Milling Systems (CMS) in Canada for micronising and classification. The resulting composite samples were sent to two independent labs for advanced analysis and purification testing.
One set of samples underwent detailed impurity analysis and purification testwork at CSIRO, achieving purities up to 99.97% TGC, which surpasses the industry benchmark of 99.95% TGC for battery anode material. The second set, processed through Battery Limits and Independent Metallurgical Operations (IMO) in Western Australia, also exceeded the benchmark, with top results reaching 99.96% TGC.
No Hydrofluoric Acid: A Safer, Greener Route to High Purity
Lincoln Minerals’ CEO Jonathon Trewartha highlighted the significance of achieving such high purities without using hydrofluoric acid—a chemical commonly used in purification that poses safety and environmental risks.
“We are extremely pleased with these outstanding initial results, particularly the achievement of battery-grade purity levels without the use of hydrofluoric acid,” Trewartha said.
“This not only reduces the cost and complexity typically associated with anode material production but also increases major safety and environmental benefits—aligning strongly with modern ESG and clean-technology standards.”
Scoping Study Explores Downstream Integration for BAM Production
These results come as Lincoln advances a battery anode material (BAM) scoping study, evaluating the potential to integrate Kookaburra’s feedstock into a downstream BAM manufacturing facility in South Australia.
“Importantly, (the results) also build on the compelling economics outlined in our recently released pre-feasibility study, which was based solely on direct concentrate sales,” Trewartha added.
“The ability to produce high-value anode material and other specialty graphite products has the potential to significantly enhance project returns and position Lincoln as a key player in the global graphite and battery materials supply chain.”
Lincoln will now proceed with the next phase of testwork to further optimise purification, micronisation, and spheronisation steps, aiming to produce high-quality, anode-grade purified spheronised graphite.
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