Positive Test Results in Lithium Ion Cells for Mason Graphite's Anode Material

LAVAL, Quebec, Dec. 10, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The battery test results obtained on a pilot batch of spherical graphite for Li-ion batteries from Mason Graphite Inc. (Mason Graphite or the Company) as part of a value-added product (VAP) development project are positive.

The spherical graphite, purified and coated at pilot scale level, was tested in button half-cells to confirm its electrochemical performances as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. The micronization—spheronization—classification portions of the transformation process were carried out in the Company’s pilot facilities located in the Quebec City vicinity. This first test is also a result of close collaboration with major partners: COREM carried out part of the manufacturing process with pilot-scale equipment (for purification and coating), and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) carried out the development of the transformation process (including the  coating process) used at COREM and performed the electrochemical tests. 

“The Mason Graphite team is fortunate to be partnered with and supported by Canada’s largest federal research organization (NRC) and Canada’s largest organization dedicated entirely to research and development in ore processing (COREM). With the support of these key partners, we are now able to show that the graphite extracted from the Lac Guéret deposit can be effectively transformed into spherical graphite and offer the performance needs sought by Li-ion battery producers,” says Benoît Gascon, President and CEO of Mason Graphite.

Positive Results
These results confirm the hypothesis that the fine graphite flakes extracted from the Lac Guéret deposit are a suitable material to manufacture spherical graphite for the lithium-ion anode market, particularly for electric vehicles.

Mason Graphite proposes a product with physicochemical and electrochemical properties similar to those of commercial products currently available on the market. These promising results will be soon validated by tests in complete batteries (graphite and lithiated metal oxide).

Comparison Criteria
The purity, bulk density, grain size, and specific surface area of graphite are some of the physical properties evaluated to determine the quality of the spherical graphite. The specific capacity and its evolution (retention) are parameters that indicate the product’s performance in Li-ion application. The table and graph below compare the results of the Mason Graphite product with the properties and performance of other commercial products available on the market.

It should be noted that the development of value-added products represents Phase 2 of the global Mason Graphite project, with the Lac Guéret mine and the Baie-Comeau concentrator site representing Phase 1. The Company is making progress and investing in both phases concurrently as demand in the markets targeted by the second phase is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, particularly with regard to electric vehicles. Furthermore, a technical and economic study on the industrialization of Phase 2 is currently underway and its results should be disclosed in 2020. The new VAP plant would be built in Baie-Comeau, on the same land as the concentrator (Phase 1), land already owned by the Company.

With respect to Phase 1, in recent months Mason Graphite received, in Baie-Comeau, the essential equipment that could have taken up to one year for delivery, obtained new permits, and revised the layout of the mine infrastructure to improve water management and environmental protection. The Company is ready to begin construction as soon as financing is completed, which is on track following the $45M raised in early 2018 and the $28M raised through the sale of NanoXplore Inc. shares. To date, Mason Graphite has invested approximately $40M in detailed engineering (75% completion), equipment purchases, construction contract negotiations, purchase of land in Baie-Comeau, and preparatory work.

Consent of the Qualified Person
Jean L'Heureux, Eng., M. Eng., Executive Vice President, Process Development for Mason Graphite, and a Qualified Person, as defined by NI 43-101 for Mason Graphite, was responsible for the audit of data presented in this press release and read and approved it.

About Mason Graphite and the Lac Guéret Project
Mason Graphite is a Canadian mining and processing company focused on the development of its 100% owned Lac Guéret natural graphite deposit located in northeastern Québec. The Company is led by a highly experienced team that has over six decades of experience in graphite production, sales, and research and development. For more information, visit www.masongraphite.com.

Source:
Ana Rodrigues, at info@masongraphite.com or at 1-514-289-3580
Head Office: 3030 Le Carrefour Boulevard, Suite 600, Laval, Quebec, H7T 2P5

Cautionary Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: (i) volatile stock price; (ii) the general global markets and economic conditions; (iii) the possibility of write-downs and impairments; (iv) the risk associated with exploration, development and operations of mineral deposits; (v) the risk associated with establishing title to mineral properties and assets; (vi) the risks associated with entering into joint ventures; (vii) fluctuations in commodity prices; (viii) the risks associated with uninsurable risks arising during the course of exploration, development and production; (ix) competition faced by the resulting issuer in securing experienced personnel and financing; (x) access to adequate infrastructure to support mining, processing, development and exploration activities; (xi) the risks associated with changes in the mining regulatory regime governing the resulting issuer; (xii) the risks associated with the various environmental regulations the resulting issuer is subject to; (xiii) risks related to regulatory and permitting delays; (xiv) risks related to potential conflicts of interest; (xv) the reliance on key personnel; (xvi) liquidity risks; (xvii) the risk of potential dilution through the issue of common shares; (xviii) the Company does not anticipate declaring dividends in the near term; (xix) the risk of litigation; and (xx) risk management.

Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made, including but not limited to, continued exploration activities, no material adverse change in metal prices, exploration and development plans proceeding in accordance with plans and such plans achieving their stated expected outcomes, receipt of required regulatory approvals, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations and exploration plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update such forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

A graph accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5c5cbe74-e298-477d-867f-f262fc836491

Specific Capacity Evolution during Test Cycle

Specific capacity of Mason Graphite product compared to the best grade of natural commercial graphite. (Measuring conditions: coin cell CR2325, lithium metal counter electrode, PVDF binder, electrolyte 1M LiPF6 EC: DEC with additive, charge / discharge at C/10 between 1.5 V and 5 mV vs. Li/Li+).