Green Battery Minerals and Volt Carbon Technologies
Enter Into Preliminary Mineral Processing Agreement
With reference to GEM’s prior News Release dated May 16, 2023, GEM provided Volt Carbon with a single 5 kilogram sample of crushed feedstock that was obtained from GEM’s 100% owned Berkwood Graphite project in Quebec, Canada. Volt Carbon processed the Sample using its proprietary dry separation process technology as a test. The test result yielded 146 grams of graphite flake per kilogram of crushed feedstock, reflecting a 14.6% yield of graphite flakes per kilogram of feedstock. The processed material was subsequently sent to a third-party lab (Base Metallurgist Laboratories Ltd. in Kamloops, British Columbia) for independent testing. Base Metallurgist Laboratories Ltd. independently verified that the Volt Carbon-processed Sample yielded a graphite content of 91.55%, with total carbon showing at 97%.
VCT’s Proprietary Dry Separation Process
Volt Carbon has developed a proprietary dry separation process that uses air as its separation medium. The major benefits of the process compared to traditional processing are that the process: (i) does not use water, which eliminates a significant amount of waste traditionally associated with the purification of graphite due to its solventless and reagentless nature; (ii) does not produce an effluent; and (iii) the process results in the retention of the original quality of the graphite flakes (large +50 mesh and jumbo +35 mesh sized flakes). Importantly, GEM and Volt Carbon believe that large and jumbo sized flakes attain premium pricing due to their high-end performance as anode material for lithium-ion batteries (“LIBs”).
When dealing with the extraction of graphite, the deposit’s quality and mineral composition play a crucial role and will significantly impact the economic aspects in the later stages. Our collaboration with GEM stems from their possession of a high-grade graphite deposit, consistently yielding between 21%-45% graphite upon initial extraction from the ground. Below is a visual representation from their zone 6, displaying remarkably elevated levels of graphite. We intend to conduct additional testing on this sample at our laboratory.
Timeline
Volt Carbon Granted U.S. Patent for Novel Graphite Extraction Technology and Extends Placement
December 18, 2024
Volt Carbon Technologies Inc, with reference to its prior News Release dated December 5, 2024, is pleased to announce the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 12,172,192 for its air classifier technology. This innovative technology is considered a breakthrough in graphite extraction, offering a dry, efficient, and environmentally sustainable method for processing large flake graphite.
Volt Carbon has successfully demonstrated this technology by purifying the Berkwood deposit to 98% purity, with results independently verified by a third party for Green Battery Minerals Inc. (TSX-V: GEM). The Company is also collaborating with GEM to develop applications for expandable graphite, a key material used in high-performance batteries, thermal management systems, and flame-retardant solutions.
Volt Carbon Technologies Announces the Synthesis of Diamonds from its Dry Separated Natural Flake Graphite
August 21, 2024
Volt Carbon Technologies has successfully synthesized diamonds using dry-separated natural flake graphite from the Berkwood Deposit, owned by Green Battery Minerals Inc. (TSX-V: GEM.V). This milestone underscores the high quality of Berkwood’s graphite and Volt Carbon’s proprietary dry separation process.
Key Highlights
- Graphite Purity & Processing: Volt Carbon refined a -30+50 mesh natural flake graphite concentrate from Berkwood for high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) diamond synthesis.
- Diamond Synthesis: The graphite was converted into near-gemstone-quality synthetic diamonds, ranging from 2 to 5 carats.
- Efficiency Advantage: The high graphitic structure and low oxidation properties of Volt Carbon’s graphite enabled diamond formation at temperatures 200°C lower than typical commercial flake graphite, potentially reducing energy costs and carbon footprint.
- Industrial Applications: The synthesized diamonds have potential uses in gemstones, metalworking, lapping compounds, and coatings for cutting, drilling, and grinding tools.
Volt Carbon’s dry separation technology preserved natural catalyst materials, eliminating the need for flotation and chemical separation while achieving results comparable to industry-standard methods.
Volt Carbon Technologies Launches Online Store for its Natural Flake Graphite and Terminates Option Agreement
July 18, 2024
Volt Carbon Technologies has announced the launch of its new online store, set to open on August 12, 2024, offering natural flake graphite to end users. This initiative aligns with Volt Carbon’s strategy to scale up its dry separation process while generating revenue to support operations.
Online Store Highlights
- Sustainable Graphite Production: Produced without water, reagents, or wet tailings, Volt’s graphite extraction method is designed to be one of the simplest and most sustainable in the industry, reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional processes.
- Versatile Applications: The graphite will be available for use in dry lubricants, expandable graphite, additives, graphene products, battery anodes, and thermal management materials.
- Range of Mesh Sizes: Customers can purchase super jumbo, jumbo, large, medium, and small flake graphite, with sizes ranging from -10 to +100 mesh.
- Quality Standards: Internal and third-party testing (including the University of Waterloo) confirms Volt Carbon’s graphite matches or exceeds competitor standards in purity, expandability, and carbon content.
- Flexible Purchasing Options: Quantities will range from 100 grams to 5 kg, catering to both industrial users and research projects.
Volt Carbon Technologies Enhances Dry Tailings Byproducts from Graphite Separation into Iron Concentrate
June 11, 2024
Volt Carbon Technologies has entered into an arm’s length option agreement with Green Battery Minerals Inc. (GEM) to acquire an interest in the Berkwood Graphite Project in Northern Quebec. The agreement, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, grants Volt an option to acquire a 5% interest in the property, exercisable until December 31, 2025.
Under the agreement, GEM will issue 4,000,000 shares to Volt, while Volt will commit $150,000 in exploration expenditures by December 31, 2024. If Volt exercises the option, it will also make a $1,500,000 cash payment to GEM. Additionally, if GEM undergoes a takeover transaction, it has the right to buy back the option for the greater of $1,800,000 or 5% of the transaction consideration.
Volt sees this agreement as a strategic move to expand its access to high-grade graphite deposits and further integrate its proprietary dry separation technology into the North American battery materials supply chain. Volt previously demonstrated success in refining Berkwood rock samples into battery-grade anodes, with positive test results announced in December 2023.
Volt Carbon Technologies Enhances Dry Tailings Byproducts from Graphite Separation into Iron Concentrate
Feb 8, 2024
Volt Carbon Technologies has successfully enriched dry tailings from its graphite separation process into an iron concentrate, marking a significant advancement in its graphite processing initiative. The achievement was realized during the separation of flake graphite hosted in iron formation at Volt’s pilot facility in Scarborough, Ontario.
Comprehensive analyses, conducted by Dr. Aiping Yu and her team at the University of Waterloo and Solid UltraBattery, confirmed that the iron concentrate reached 61.5% iron content, aligning with high-grade iron concentrate characteristics. This breakthrough supports Volt’s commitment to optimizing material usage and reducing waste and chemical reliance compared to conventional flotation methods.
Volt Carbon Technologies Launches Battery Testing with Exclusive Dry-Separated Graphite Sourced from GEM’s Property and Releases Preliminary Test Data
December 11, 2023
Volt Carbon Technologies has commenced battery anode development using high-purity graphite sourced from Green Battery Minerals’ Berkwood property. The graphite, processed using Volt’s proprietary dry separation technology, achieved a record-high total carbon content of 98.4% without the need for chemical purification. Under the leadership of Dr. Aiping Yu, a University of Waterloo professor and Volt’s newest board member, the material was mechanically refined into battery-grade anode sizes.
Initial tests conducted at Solid Ultrabattery’s and the University of Waterloo’s labs confirmed the graphite’s suitability for lithium-ion battery applications. Early coin cell testing yielded a capacity of 344 mAh/g under entirely dry handling conditions, without spheroidization or carbon coating. Volt aims to refine its process further and exceed 360 mAh/g in the next testing phase.
Volt Carbon Technologies Announces Record Results of Graphite Purification Tests and Receipt of a 27 Ton Graphite Bulk Sample for Processing
August 16, 2023
Volt Carbon Technologies achieved record-breaking results in its graphite purification tests at its Scarborough, Ontario facility. Over seven months, the company conducted extensive dry separation procedures on six graphite rock samples from various deposits in Ontario and Quebec, achieving a remarkable 96.1% graphitic carbon purity and 98.1% total carbon. These results highlight the potential of Volt’s proprietary dry separation process as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional wet processing methods.
In addition to these advancements, Volt received a 27-ton graphitic bulk sample from Green Battery Minerals as part of the feasibility phase of their Preliminary Mineral Processing Agreement. This marks the largest bulk sample received by Volt to date and is crucial to refining its dry separation technology. The processing of this bulk sample is expected to take several months, with GEM covering processing costs at an estimated $50,000 per ton.
Green Battery Minerals and Volt Carbon Technologies enter into preliminary mineral processing agreement
June 5th 2023
Green Battery Minerals Inc. and Volt Carbon Technologies Inc. have officially signed a preliminary mineral processing agreement, following successful testing of VCT’s proprietary dry separation process on a 5-kilogram graphite feedstock sample provided by GEM. The test resulted in an impressive 91.55% graphite content with 97% total carbon, showcasing the effectiveness of VCT’s technology. This agreement outlines a comprehensive path forward, from feasibility studies to bulk sampling and mine development, with a profit-sharing arrangement of 50/50 between the two companies.
Volt Carbon Technologies Purifies Green Battery Minerals Graphite
May 16th 2023
Green Battery Minerals Inc. has achieved a major breakthrough in its graphite purification process, collaborating with Volt Carbon Technologies to produce battery-grade anode material. Unlike traditional methods that use hazardous reagents and generate contaminated wastewater, their innovative approach utilizes air as a separation medium, making it environmentally friendly. Preliminary results show exceptional graphite grades of up to 93%, along with a significant yield of large and jumbo-sized flakes.
Preliminary Mineral Processing Agreement with GEM
June 5th 2023
Green Battery Minerals Inc. and Volt Carbon Technologies Inc. have officially signed a preliminary mineral processing agreement, following successful testing of VCT’s proprietary dry separation process on a 5-kilogram graphite feedstock sample provided by GEM. The test resulted in an impressive 91.55% graphite content with 97% total carbon, showcasing the effectiveness of VCT’s technology. This agreement outlines a comprehensive path forward, from feasibility studies to bulk sampling and mine development, with a profit-sharing arrangement of 50/50 between the two companies.
VCT received 27-ton graphitic bulk sample
August 16th 2023
Volt also announced that it had received a 27-ton graphitic bulk sample from Green Battery Minerals at its Scarborough facility, marking an operational milestone as the largest bulk sample delivery it had received to date. The bulk sample is important to the feasibility phase of the project and the advancement of Volt’s dry separation equipment.
Record Results of Graphite Purification Tests
August 16th 2023
Using innovative proprietary techniques, Volt achieved an impressive 96.1% purity in graphitic carbon and 98.1% total carbon in six distinct graphite rock samples from Ontario and Quebec. These results showcase Volt’s cutting-edge advancements in dry separation methods and mechanical separation at its Scarborough facility.