South Star Battery Metals, based in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, has announced positive results from its preliminary test of the Ceylon Project site in Coosa County as a potential source for graphite — an essential element for automotive battery production.
This maiden testing consisted of 12 holes totaling 506 meters. Sampling on the first six has been completed at Activation Laboratory Ltd. in Ontario, Canada, and the remaining six should be complete by year’s end.
Pilot metallurgical testing of 3 tons of bulk also was completed at the Mineral Research Laboratory of North Carolina State University, yielding 30 kgs of flake graphite concentrate.
Richard Pearce, CEO of South Star, said, “This is a very exciting 100% hit rate on our first six holes. All the holes have significant intervals with grades ranging from 2% to 4.5% Cg and consistent mineralized zones at- or near-surface….
“Strong preliminary results close to potential customers and high-tech users of graphite is extremely encouraging for the commercial value of this deposit,” he added, “particularly in these times when supplies are becoming scarce and secure supply chains are increasingly prized. South Star has two great assets in stable, mining-friendly jurisdictions and the team to build and operate them.
“We plan on getting drills back in the field in Q2/Q3 2023 and completing a NI43-101 PEA by end of 2023,” Pearce said.
Colorado firm Westwater Resources is building a graphite processing plant in Coosa County and has talked about mining there also after the processing plant is complete.
South Star also has operations in Brazil.
In November, the Canadian government cracked down on Chinese investment in its minerals sector. Reuters reported that the Canadian government said it would “act decisively when investments threaten our national security and our critical minerals supply chains, both at home and abroad.”
