Path to Production

Analysis and Testing

Testing and analysis of the core material occurred in Sri Lanka and consisted of Chemical analysis: AAS and ICP-MS.

and X-Ray analysis using XRF testing. 113 lbs of core material were also sent to Canada. The testing and analysis was conducted at the labs of Saint Jean Carbon and Actlabs. The results confirmed: i) world’s highest purity graphite ii) Super Jumbo Flake 5mm iii) no intercalation with the host rock - which has profound positive implications on the cost of processing and environment impact of the ore

Piloting

The material was then put through the various processing stages to obtain the desired end product. These processes included: dual toggle crush, single toggle crush, three rolls crushes (1/8”, 1/16”1/64”), 7 passes through an air classification system, and polishing the material.
No smearing was detected from the crushing
The piloting allowed AMECA Mining to measure exactly what processes were required and how much water, energy, etc was used in the processes. This information is of great value because it allows AMECA to design a milling plant suitable for the mined ore and also allows us to confidently build the economic models for operation (see Milling).
Because the graphite is not intercalated with the host rock, piloting demonstrated that a very high level of purity (>99.9%) could be achieved with 3 passes through an air classification system and just one float. This has tremendous implications for both the cost of processing and its environmental impacts (fewer processes, less energy and water requirements, no need for harsh chemicals).

43-101

AMECA Mining engaged Dr. Christian Derosier to complete Canada’s National Instrument 43-101 (Available upon request). Dr. Derosier has an esteemed career in geology and exploration for industrial minerals, precious and base metals since 1969. He has been involved in numerous graphite projects from the exploration through to production in the Province of Quebec from 1988 to 2020, in others in Canada and abroad (Madagascar and Sri Lanka). Based upon the strong evidence to date, Dr. Derosier has recommended an ambitious second phase drilling program to delineate the deposit and allow for resource estimation.

Milestones to Production

Drilling

We are planning three successive drill programs (3120 m, 6000 m, and 20,000m) to satisfy the respective requirements of a Preliminary Economic Assessment, Pre-Feasibility Study, and Feasibility Study
Phase 1 and 2 drilling with be conducted by crews from Sri Lanka’s Geological Survey and Mines Bureau at a cost of $200 metre
Phase 3 drilling (20,000 m) will be enhanced by 3 Canadian drill teams. The information gathered will allow for block optimization and guide the mining plans

Mining

It is our intention that the mining program will be under the direction of Dr Christian Derosier and his team of Sri Lankan engineers. Upendra Kannangara is the planned head of the AMECA Mining office in Sri Lanka, and a team in Canada is slated to be involved in the project.
GSMB technical services is the planned subcontractor for the project.
In contrast to other Sri Lankan deposits, Seruwila graphite has formed in very large horizontal beds - allowing for a faster, cheaper and safer excavation process
The terrain is flat and unpopulated – ideal for mining

Processing

Preliminary design plans for an on site 9 line mill with maximum production capacity = 120,000 tonnes/year
$25 million CAPEX (see cost breakdown)
No intercalation with host rock allows for inexpensive and green processing
We are intending to use a fully automated air classification system designed by V-Bond Lee in order to enable the immediate capture of high value Jumbo and large flakes in a completely dry process
Less processing = less possibility of scratching or otherwise damaging product = higher consistency = more desirable product
Management estimates the operating expenditure (OPEX) to be approximately US$200/tonne

Licensing and Permitting

AMECA Mining is well underway in the process of securing a mining license by mid 2023.

AMECA Mining intends to begin production as soon as possible. This should allow our graphite to enter the market just as the rapidly growing demand for the highest quality graphite is expected to overtake supply.