Sydney, Australia (ABN Newswire) – New Energy Minerals Limited (ASX:NXE) (FRA:GGY) (OTCMKTS:MTTGF) is pleased to provide an update to the market in relation to the Company’s activities for the period ending 31 December 2020.
Corporate Update
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Explore StocksMagnis Resources (ASX:MNS) is pleased to provide an update on funding discussions for both Magnis and the Nachu Graphite Project (“Nachu”).
Magnis Resources (ASX:MNS) is pleased to provide an update on funding discussions for both Magnis and the Nachu Graphite Project (“Nachu”).
Further to the corporate update made on 25 July 2018, discussions have progressed with multiple groups who are currently undertaking either technical or legal due diligence, with the view of making an investment in the Company. Indications to date point to an investment decision in Magnis being made by the end of the month. Several of the potential investors being considered would be either cornerstone or strategic investors.
In addition, during the past months, the Company has fielded interest from potential joint venture partners for Nachu. Plans are being made for site visits in the current quarter with at least two of these parties.
The Company will provide further details as they come to hand.
Travis Peluso
Investor Relations Director
Magnis Resources Limited
Ph: +61 411 404 814
www.magnis.com.au
Click here to connect with Magnis Resources (ASX:MNS) for an Investor Presentation.
Source: drive.google.com
Australia isn't a producer of graphite (yet), but three states in the country are home to millions of tonnes of reserves and resources.
Graphite has been growing in popularity in recent years as its applications as a battery mineral are realised, and as the popularity of electric vehicles grows around the world.
A form of carbon, graphite is a good conductor and is invaluable in electronics. It comes in three different forms, each with their own valuable applications in modern technology, making it a sought-after commodity without which supply lines for many industries around the world would grind to a halt.
Graphite isn't produced in Australia (yet), but the country sits on 1.05 million tonnes of ore reserves, and 7.14 million tonnes of economic demonstrated resources (EDR), as per 2017 government data — and those numbers are way up from the previously disclosed data from Canberra in 2013.
For reference, global production of graphite is relatively small — 1.1 million tonnes were produced around the world in 2020, with the lion's share (650,000 tonnes) coming from China.
But back to Australia, whose graphite reserves and EDR are shared between three states: Queensland, with 1.32 million tonnes EDR, South Australia, where 4.72 million tonnes EDR can be found, and Western Australia, which is home to 1.1 million tonnes EDR.
Exploration is on the up in Australia and around the world for graphite, with demand for the mineral set to grow thanks almost solely to the proliferation of electric vehicles.
The Australian government is cognizant of this development, reporting that it is confident interest in the mineral will not only remain high, but will increase as time goes on. In fact, graphite is classified by the nation's government as a critical mineral, and the country has dedicated significant resources to researching market gaps and opportunities available.
The government has identified five projects between Western Australia and South Australia that have the potential to bring Australia to the table when it comes to production.
However, as of the most recent government report, none of them are producing. One asset is being explored, another is in the prefeasibility stage and the remaining three are in the feasibility stage.
The most developed projects appear to be Mineral Commodities' (ASX:MRC) Munglinup project in Western Australia, where a definitive feasibility study was completed in early 2020, with a final investment decision targeted in 2023, and Renascor Resources' (ASX:RNU) Siviour project on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, which has a final investment decision slated for 2022.
Renascor has hopes for production to begin by the end of 2023, and has signed memorandums of understanding for 100 percent offtake agreements. The company boasts that Siviour, which had a definitive feasibility study completed recently — is the world's second largest proven reserve of graphite, and the largest graphite reserve outside of Africa.
For its part, the Munglinup project in Western Australia is Mineral Commodities' second major graphite project, behind its flagship Skaland project in Norway. Munglinup is in the far south of Western Australia, near the port city of Esperance — giving it fantastic transport options.
Both Munglinup and Siviour, if they proceed in coming years, would produce 132,000 tonnes of graphite between them in the early stages — putting Australia well and truly on the leaderboard globally when it comes to graphite production.
The remaining projects — though not as developed or as far along with investment planning — would add another 178,000 tonnes of graphite production if they are constructed as envisaged.
As boasted by the Australian government, "the only direction for Australia's graphite production is up" — though that is indeed a reflection of the fact that current graphite production is exactly zero.
More broadly, Australia is positioning itself to take advantage of wider industry gains across the electric vehicle market, and to present itself as a reliable trading partner. Graphite, like rare earths, is classed a critical mineral by both Australia and the US — and its use extends beyond technology and into national security as well given its applications as a heat-resistant material.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Scott Tibballs, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Sydney, Australia – New Energy Minerals Limited is pleased to provide an update to the market in relation to the Company’s activities for the period ending 31 December 2020. Corporate Update New Project Acquisition The Company has previously announced with the closing of the Balama Sale Transaction on 17 July 2020 that it has no further operations in Mozambique and that the closing also represented a disposal of its …
Sydney, Australia (ABN Newswire) – New Energy Minerals Limited (ASX:NXE) (FRA:GGY) (OTCMKTS:MTTGF) is pleased to provide an update to the market in relation to the Company’s activities for the period ending 31 December 2020.
Corporate Update
New Project Acquisition
The Company has previously announced with the closing of the Balama Sale Transaction on 17 July 2020 that it has no further operations in Mozambique and that the closing also represented a disposal of its main undertaking as previously approved by shareholders at a general shareholder meeting on 13 May 2020.
Subsequently, the Company agreed to acquire a new mineral project and on 13 October 2020 requested a trading halt pursuant to ASX Listing Rule 17.1 pending announcement of a project acquisition.
On 13 November 2020, the ASX suspended the Company from official quotation pending the release of an announcement regarding an acquisition and that the Company’s securities will remain suspended until it has recomplied with Chapters 1 and 2 of the Listing Rules, including the issue of a prospectus.
Arena Investors Dispute
Confidential settlement negotiations with Arena have continued during the quarter and the Company expects to be able to make a further announcement in this regard during the first quarter of 2021.
Appointment of experienced technical directors
On 18 November 2020, the Company announced the appointment of Dr Bernard Olivier and Dr Evan Kirby to the Board of the Company in conjunction with the resignation of Mr Paul Ching and Mr Jackie Lee. Both were nominated to the Board by the Company’s largest shareholder UBezTT International Investment Holdings (BVI) Ltd.
To view the report, please visit:
https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/YR138716
About New Energy Minerals Ltd:
New Energy Minerals (ASX:NXE) is an ASX listed junior mining company, that recently announced the divestment of the Company’s Caula vanadium – graphite project and the Montepuez Ruby project in Mozambique.
Source:
New Energy Minerals Ltd
Contact:
Christiaan Jordaan
Managing Director
info@newenergyminerals.com.au
+ 61-8-9217-2400
News Provided by ABN Newswire via QuoteMedia
Syrah remains engaged in progressing the feasibility study for the scale-up of the Vidalia facility post-product qualification.
Graphite producer Syrah Resources (ASX:SYR,OTC Pink:SYAAF) said it is temporarily suspending operations at its Vidalia battery materials plant in the US state of Louisiana following a state-wide “Stay at Home Order” to fight the spread of COVID-19.
The order, issued on Sunday (March 22), will be in effect until April 13, with Syrah saying it does not meet criteria for exclusions under this regulation.
“This will delay the distribution of purified natural graphite samples for qualification with potential customers whilst the Stay at Home Order remains in place,” the company said in a press release.
Right now, Syrah’s team is working remotely to progress the feasibility study for the scale-up of the Vidalia facility post-product qualification.
The US plant, which the company purchased for US$1.23 million, produced its first unpurified spherical graphite at the end of 2018, with qualification samples dispatched to target customers in early 2019. The facility has environmental permits in place and an initial milling capacity of 5,000 tonnes per year.
Syrah’s Balama graphite project in Mozambique, which is the largest natural graphite operation outside of China, remains operational at this time.
“The company continues to monitor and assess the international mobility of personnel, the free movement of goods through supply chains and broader market conditions,” Syrah said, adding that it continues to strengthen protocols in response to COVID-19 risks at the asset.
Back in September, the company reduced production volumes to 5,000 tonnes per month at Balama due to volatility in the market. Syrah said it has continued its moderated production strategy into Q1 of this year as planned, seeking to match production volumes with market demand.
“Despite the near-term uncertainty due to COVID-19, the long-term market fundamentals for natural flake graphite remain intact, with ongoing commitment to the decarbonisation of the transport sector via lithium ion powered electric vehicles by supply chain participants and governments,” the company said.
Syrah expects its end-of-quarter cash balance to be broadly aligned to guidance of US$64.6 million.
On Tuesday (March 24), Syrah was trading up 2 percent at AU$0.23. However, the company’s share price has been suffering since the start of the year, and is down more than 50 percent since January.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Priscila Barrera, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
“Australia has the opportunity to be a green energy powerhouse if it has the political will and foresight, endowed with vast reserves of lithium, nickel, copper, rare earths, uranium and plenty of wind and sun to drive renewable energy production.”
— David Franklyn, Argonaut
“Industrial metal prices will continue to rise, supported by lack of supply and rising demand as the globe continues to recover and restrictions lift. With copper and aluminium stock already running low, development could send prices back towards — and potentially above — the record levels seen last year. Commodities and energy stocks will likely remain the best performers — they are so far in 2022.”
— Jessica Amir, Saxo
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At the same time, not a single word of the content we choose for you is paid for by any company or investment advisor: We choose our content based solely on its informational and educational value to you, the investor.
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Western Australia’s International Graphite (ASX:IG6) has signed a non‐binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ZEN Energy with the objective of concluding binding agreements for the purchase of firmed renewable energy from ZEN Energy by International Graphite for its Collie operation
ZEN Energy, whose major shareholder is leading climate change economist Professor Ross Garnaut, is a renewable energy retailer that currently supplies the electricity needs of the South Australian Government, CSIRO’s sites in the eastern states, a set of commercial and industrial businesses in the SACOME Buying Group and twenty‐five local regional councils in New South Wales. ZEN is assessing the feasibility of building a 200MW, 600 to 800MWh battery at Collie, south of Perth. The battery would be around four times the size of Tesla’s big battery in South Australia.
International Graphite is developing downstream graphite processing facilities in Collie. This facility will undertake research and development activities and conduct pilot testing of graphite concentrates for purification and spheroidising of graphite for Battery Anode Material (BAM) applications, as well as produce micronised graphite. It is the Company’s intention to expand the facility to commercial scale production.
The power supply agreement with ZEN Energy would provide a renewables power source to drive the graphite technologies that International Graphite plans to develop at its downstream processing facility. This will help the company achieve its targets for low carbon emissions and facilitate rapid production expansion in the future.
Both International Graphite and ZEN Energy are supported by the Western Australian Government, which awarded International Graphite $2m through the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund toward the establishment of a graphite micronising plant at Collie and up to $1 million for the first stage of ZEN’s big battery feasibility study.1 This investment by the WA Government in both projects demonstrates its commitment to build Collie as a future centre of renewable energy projects in Western Australia.
International Graphite Executive Chairman Phil Hearse said access to renewable energy underpins our ability to deliver highly ESG accredited products into global markets.
“A critical supply of green power gives International Graphite an important advantage, helping ESG and environmental objectives, as well as supporting a new supply chain that will bring jobs to Collie and opportunity to Western Australia,” Mr Hearse said.
ZEN Energy’s big battery would help manage wholesale market risk in a program to supply renewable energy to new and existing industrial projects in Collie. It is expected to be a key feature in a new Collie Battery and Hydrogen Industrial Hub Project, which is the centrepiece in the Western Australian Government’s $100m strategy to create a major renewable energy centre in Collie and transition the local economy away from coal.
ZEN Energy CEO Anthony Garnaut said, “We are committed to creating practical energy supply solutions for customers seeking to grow their business on a sustainable footing.”
“Successful cooperation with International Graphite strengthens the commercial case for a big battery in Collie and provides a practical demonstration of how Australia can become a renewable energy superpower.
“There are additional benefits that a large battery will bring to the Western Australian grid. For example, it will support the continued investment of West Australian households in roof top solar by providing the ability to soak up excess solar energy, reducing the need to curtail residential solar production.”
This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Directors of International Graphite.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from International Graphite , licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
European Lithium Executive Chairman Tony Sage said, “There's not one hydroxide plant in Europe, so we hope to be the first. Not only would we be able to source material from our own mine, but we may be able to source material in nearby areas.”
European Lithium Executive Chairman Tony Sage: Developing the 1st Lithium Hydroxide Plant in Europe youtu.be
European Lithium (ASX:EUR,FWB:PF8) Executive Chairman Tony Sage discussed the company’s Wolfsburg project in Austria, a country with a rich mining history dating back to WWII that maintains its infrastructure.
Wolfsburg continues that tradition, positioned only 45 kilometres from the city that hosts the largest Samsung battery factory.
"It’s quite unique. In Europe, a lot of the lithium mines are at the exploration stage," Sage said. "This mine was built back in the '80s by the Austrian government. So all the work has been done. If we were going to do this project today, we would have to get environmental approval and spend about $100 million — but they did all the work and the licence is in perpetuity.
“We can now access that mine and start mining immediately. In fact, in 2017, we mined it and took out 1,500 tonnes, which is a massive advantage in the lithium industry because we were able to build a pilot plant and put 300 tonnes of the material through the pilot plant, which gave us the results that we were looking for in that it's high-grade product.”
Sage also discussed European Lithium’s goals with the project. “Our aim is to mine it. It's a very simple mining process. We're in the process now of trying to acquire land nearby so we can actually put a conversion plant and a hydroxide plant on it. There's not one hydroxide plant in Europe, so we hope to be the first. Not only would we be able to source material from our own mine, but we may be able to source material in nearby areas.”
Sage told the Investing News Network that the government is supportive of its endeavours. “The Austrian government is very keen for us to build hydroxide plants so they can actually entice vehicle companies to build a factory nearby the hydroxide plant. This way, we can have a mine right through to the battery solution for the Austrian government. In the end, all we can do is get the mines up and operating, build the hydroxide plant and see what happens.”
The mine itself is underground. “Underground mining techniques are used all around the world. When they built it, they actually overbuilt — so when we decided to mine back in 2017, it was quite easy for us to find the seam of the orebody and then take the ore out," Sage said.
“We completed a prefeasibility study in 2018. The cost structure then was about US$7,500 per tonne to produce the hydroxide. Right now, the hydroxide price is around US$69,000 a tonne — that’s a massive profit margin that we don’t see as sustainable long term. When we do our definitive feasibility study, we're probably going to use an average price over the life of mine of about US$25,000 — but that's still a huge profit margin. That feasibility study is coming within the next four months, when we’ll be in a good position to partner with someone.”
Watch the full interview of European Lithium Executive Chairman Tony Sage above.
Disclaimer: This interview is sponsored by European Lithium (ASX:EUR,FWB:PF8). This interview provides information that was sourced by the Investing News Network (INN) and approved by European Lithium in order to help investors learn more about the company. European Lithium is a client of INN. The company’s campaign fees pay for INN to create and update this interview.
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The information contained here is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of securities. Readers should conduct their own research for all information publicly available concerning the company. Prior to making any investment decision, it is recommended that readers consult directly with European Lithium and seek advice from a qualified investment advisor.
This interview may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, receipt of property titles, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. The issuer relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking statements. Investing in companies comes with uncertainties as market values can fluctuate.
The gold price is trading lower than some market watchers would prefer, but the top-performing ASX gold stocks so far this year are making leaps.
Click here to read the previous best ASX gold stocks article.
While 2021 was a disappointing year for gold, analysts are optimistic about the outlook for 2022.
The yellow metal passed the US$2,000 per ounce mark as tensions between Russia and Ukraine heated up, but has since pulled back to trade closer to US$1,800. However, diverse factors could combine to push it higher.
Demand for gold jewellery, gold bars and coins, and the metal’s use in the technology sector are still going strong, and supply is also a growing concern due to decreased gold exploration efforts in recent years.
Against this backdrop, many Australian gold stocks are doing well. And with the precious metal generally considered a safe investment, it's worth being aware of the county's top-performing companies.
Here the Investing News Network looks at the best ASX gold stocks of the year so far by year-to-date gains. The list of stocks below was generated on April 29, 2022, using TradingView’s stock screener, and all companies included had market caps over AU$30 million at that time.
Year-to-date gain: 180 percent; market cap: AU$107.3 million; current share price: AU$0.01
Xantippe Resources (ASX:XTC) is focused on Western Australia's Southern Cross region, which is widely known for its past gold production. The precious metals explorer's Southern Cross project is made up of 20 prospecting licences and six exploration licences, and holds a number of key priority targets.
In late April, Xantippe confirmed the acquisition of lithium tenements in Argentina with the hope of commencing exploration activities in the third quarter.
Year-to-date gain: 55.81 percent; market cap: AU$63.05 million; current share price: AU$0.07
Minrex Resources’ (ASX:MRR) assets include five gold and base metals projects in Western Australia, four of which are in the mineral-rich East Pilbara region.
The company started off the year with high-grade gold drill results from its work at the Queenslander gold prospect within its Sofala project. The prospect is centred around the past-producing Queenslander mine.
Year-to-date gain: 38.1 percent; market cap: AU$164.19 million; current share price: AU$0.15
Gold and nickel-cobalt explorer Aston Minerals (ASX:ASO) is moving forward at its Edleston gold project, located in the Cadillac-Larder Lake fault zone of Canada's Abitibi greenstone belt. Edleston is its flagship asset, and according to the company, it is the first in over a decade to drill in this area.
Aston continues to focus on gold at Edleston, but its Boomerang nickel-cobalt target has come to the forefront in recent months, with the company announcing the results of its maiden hole there in early December.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Marlee John, currently hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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