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Graphite processing in the works

Next Graphite Incorporated is currently in the process of designing a graphite processing plant to be built on site in the south of Namibia at its Aukum property, situated approximately 170km from the Port of Lüderitz. This was revealed after Next Graphite obtained positive results from a recently concluded floatation test programme.
A preliminary economic analysis is on the cards following the completion of the floatation programme, according to Next Graphite’s Chief Executive Officer, Cliff Bream who also said that further attempts at finalising offtaker agreements are being discussed.

An amount of US$1 million has been set aside for the construction of a small scale processing plant.
Revealing the results of the tests, Bream said, “We could not be more pleased by these results. The test results provide us with the ability to begin positioning ourselves for offtake agreements with graphite consumers around the world.” The test results show that an average of 96.2 % graphite was recorded in the concentrates across all samples including waste material.
Following a listing on the Over-The-Counter market in New York in the first half of 2014, Next Graphite has made steadfast progress and secured an environmental clearance certificate from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. As the prospective graphite producer awaits the outcome of an environmental impact assessment, significant work done on an estimated 500 tons of graphite bearing rock has indicated 41.58% graphite content.
Targeted activities for 2014 included amongst others; the transfer of the mining license to Next Graphite, initial testing of the Aukum Graphite Mine samples and the compilation of its initial geological report, process testing of surface graphite samples from on-site tailings, preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment report, submitting an application for a mining license for extraction, preliminary drilling and advanced product testing, preliminary economic analysis based on the most-recent findings and a scoping study that details the engineering for production, mining design, preparing flowcharts for operations and construction, and finally planning for a small-scale processing facility.
Next Graphite had originally planned to re-open the graphite mine in the second half of 2015, with further hopes that the operation will become profitable 18 months after the commencement of mining activities.

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