Mason Graphite Achieves Positive Results in Tests

Test results from Mason Graphite's spherical graphite applications for Li-ion batteries have yielded positive outcomes. Mason Graphite is a Canadian mining and processing company focused on developing the Lac Guéret natural graphite deposit, which it wholly owns in northeastern Quebec. The company is managed by a highly experienced team with more than 60 years of combined expertise in graphite production, sales, and research and development. At pilot scale, purified and coated spherical graphite was tested in half-button cells to validate its electrochemical performance as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. The classification stages of the micronization—spheroidization—conversion process were carried out at the Company's pilot facilities in the Quebec City area. This initial test is also a result of close collaboration with major partners. COREM undertook a portion of the production process, pilot-scale equipment for purification and coating. The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) developed the conversion process used at COREM, including the coating procedure, and conducted the electrochemical testing. Mason Graphite CEO Benoît Gascon stated: "The partnership and support of the NRC, Canada's largest federal research organization, and COREM, Canada's largest organization dedicated entirely to ore processing research and development, are invaluable to the Mason Graphite team. With the support of these key partners, we can now demonstrate that graphite extracted from the Lac Guéret deposit can be converted into spherical graphite and meet the performance requirements sought by Li-ion battery manufacturers," he said.

Positive Results

These results confirm the hypothesis that fine graphite flakes extracted from the Lac Guéret deposit are suitable material for spherical graphite production for the lithium-ion anode market, particularly for electric vehicles. Mason Graphite is delivering a product with physicochemical and electrochemical properties comparable to commercial products currently on the market. These promising results will soon be validated through testing in complete batteries (graphite and metal oxide processed with lithium or one of its compounds).