Canadian mining and battery materials developer Focus Graphite Advanced Materials has developed and validated a new graphite flake size characterization technology, which it has integrated into the geometallurgical model of its Lac Tetepisca Graphite Project in Quebec.
The technology enables high-resolution mapping of graphite flake size distribution across a deposit, down to individual geological domains or resource blocks, directly from conventional drill core material, without the need for extensive bulk metallurgical testing.
RGB image analysis is applied to high-resolution optical microscopy images of graphite flakes recovered from coarse rejects generated during assaying, providing a scalable and repeatable approach to flake size characterization.
Historically, graphite resource valuation has relied on basket pricing derived from limited bulk metallurgical composite samples, which may not adequately capture variability in flake size distribution within a deposit, Focus noted.
The methodology has been benchmarked against bench-scale metallurgical testing on 30 composite samples and independently validated using automated particle analysis by scanning electron microscopy.
Preliminary results indicate an inverse relationship between graphite grade and flake size, the company said, in which lower-grade zones host a higher proportion of jumbo flakes. That supports the potential for a lower cut-off grade and improved project economics.
Focus Graphite expects to incorporate the results from the work into the upcoming mineral resource estimate update for the Manicouagan-Ouest Graphitic Corridor deposit, which is planned for late in the first quarter. Approximately 300 samples are being processed to populate a geometallurgical model for the deposit.
Following successful validation at Lac Tetepisca, Focus said it intends to apply the technology to its Lac Knife Graphite Project, which is at a more advanced stage of development.
“In traditional graphite operations, limited visibility into flake size variability forces operators to rely on large stockpiles and higher inventories to manage production and sales risk,” said Richard Pearce, a technical consultant to the company. “From hands-on experience, knowing where different flake sizes occur materially improves mine planning and operational efficiency. This flake size characterization tool enables mining with intent—aligning extraction with customer requirements, reducing waste and improving overall economics.”
Source: Focus Graphite Advanced Materials
