In November last year, Kingsland Minerals (ASX:KNG) drilled a total 1662m in 16 holes focusing on a 600m strike length of the graphitic schist unit that contains the 194.6Mt inferred resource at 7.3% total graphitic carbon (TGC), one of the largest known graphite resources in Australia.
The planned program of 25 RC holes totalling 3000m was curtailed by the onset of the wet season with two holes yet to be drilled due to access issues with larger trees and ground excavation requirements.
These drillholes are located along a 600m long section of the inferred resource, which will be re-estimated with new information to upgrade to indicated resources.
Results include:
- 120m at 9.2% TGC from surface, including 24m at 13.6% TGC from 94m
- 72m at 9.2% TGC from surface, including 20m at 13.1% TGC from 25m; and
- 57m at 10.2% TGC from 63m, including 15m at 13.3% TGC from 105m.
Ex-China graphite supply sentiment continues to strengthen with the International Tariff Council (ITC) proposing a 920% tariff on Chinese graphite during a hearing held on January 7.
The Middle Kingdom dominates the mining and processing of the mineral, a key ingredient in electric vehicle batteries used in the form of anode material, which enable the flow of electric charge.
Analysts believe the tariffs on imports could increase battery prices and delay EV adoption.
Attorneys for Tesla and Panasonic allegedly urged members of the ITC to eliminate the tariffs on imports and anode material, given they rely on imports of graphite from China.
Several of the remaining drill holes will be drilled later in 2025 after the conclusion of the wet season.
The production of a bulk graphite concentrate sample is nearing completion and is expected to be dispatched to ProGraphite GmbH in Germany within the next two or three weeks.
The total test-work program is anticipated to take about 5 months – 10 weeks for the spheronisation work and 8 weeks for the electrochemical characterisation work.
