A groundbreaking refining process has reignited Zentek’s enthusiasm for mining and processing graphite at its Albany project in the Hearst area. The Guelph technology company proudly announced that they have achieved an ultra-high purified result of 99.99915 percent from a sample extracted from the Northern Ontario graphite deposit, near Constance Lake First Nation.
This remarkable feat was accomplished through a specialized graphite purification process that was conducted using a 100-gram sample from Albany during pilot plant trials back in 2017. The sample underwent a thermal purification process in a furnace at the National Research Council of Canada, upgrading its purity from 85 percent to over 99 percent.
Zentek, which prides itself as an intellectual property technology development and commercialization company with a graphite deposit north of Highway 11, expressed elation over surpassing their expectations with these purification results. CEO Greg Fenton pointed out that the material is being tested for potential applications in lithium-ion batteries as well as the nuclear market.
Graphite, classified as a critical mineral, has versatile uses across various industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and telecommunications. Zentek has even leveraged processed graphite material in protective clothing applications for healthcare workers. With substantial investments flowing into the North American battery supply chain, the company is evaluating the mining and graphite processing potential at Albany to cater to the demands of battery manufacturers.
Zentek’s transition from a junior exploration mining company to a healthcare solutions firm has not detracted from their commitment to harnessing the full potential of the Albany deposit. With plans to create a vertically integrated anode solution and explore both open-pit and underground mining scenarios, Zentek is poised to unlock the value of this exceptional resource for years to come.
