VANCOUVER, July 9, 2019 /CNW/ - Leading Edge
Materials Corp. ("Leading Edge Materials" or the
"Company") (TSXV: LEM) (OTCQB: LEMIF)
(Nasdaq First North: LEMSE) is pleased to announce the
commencement of research with a leading European consultant,
ProGraphite GmbH ("ProGraphite"), to produce expandable
graphite using materials from the Woxna graphite mine in
Sweden.
Leading Edge Materials has previously produced expandable and
expanded graphite products using Woxna graphite as a feed
stock. Expandable graphite is a potential value-add product
for larger flake natural graphite from Woxna that will not go to
the lithium ion battery anode markets. Demand for expandable
graphite for fire resistant building products and textiles are both
substantial and fast growing, while emerging markets exist as a
precursor for graphene manufacturing.
Expandable graphite exploits some of the remarkable anisotropic
properties of natural flake graphite. Expandable graphite is
manufactured by treating crystalline graphite with mild non-toxic
chemicals that position between individual graphite flakes. When
exposed to heat, the chemical converts from a solid or liquid to a
gas phase causing a dramatic accordion-like expansion of the
graphite which becomes 200 to 400 times its previous volume.
When used as a fire retardant in building materials, the
expandable graphite is incorporated to form a surface barrier layer
in the event of a fire. Globally, governments are moving to
limit the use of flammable building materials. Flame retardant
building materials, incorporating expandable graphite, is a large
volume and high growth market, with the China Building Materials
Application Technology Research Institute stating in 2018
"China needs 40 million tonnes of
fire-retardant building materials per annum, which will contain 5%
expandable graphite."
Samples of graphite from the Woxna mine have been delivered to
ProGraphite laboratory for characterization and
testing. Graphite for graphene and expandable graphite is
typically of a coarser flake size (greater than approximately 100
micron) than that required for lithium ion battery anode
manufacture (typically 30 to 100 micron). A range of test
conditions and intercalation chemicals are being applied to develop
products suitable for various end markets.
Mr. Mark Saxon, Interim CEO
stated, "Expandable graphite provides potential high value
applications for graphite with larger flakes and at a lower purity
than that required for battery anode materials. We are now
working with a highly experienced European research group to ensure
optimal materials can be produced for building product and graphene
supply chains. This work runs in parallel with our ongoing
work for battery anode materials and provides potential for a
deeper product network."
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Leading Edge
Materials Corp.
Mr. Mark
Saxon, Interim CEO
About Leading Edge Materials
Leading Edge Materials is a Canadian public company focused on
production of high value critical raw materials for the European
market, with an operating base in the Nordic region, a region well
recognized for its promotion and investment in innovation. LEM's
flagship asset is the Woxna Graphite production facility located in
central Sweden targeting the
supply of specialty materials for lithium ion battery production.
LEM's assets and research focus are towards the raw materials for
Li-ion batteries (graphite, lithium, cobalt); materials for high
thermal efficiency building products (graphite, silica, nepheline);
and materials that improve the efficiency of energy generation
(dysprosium, neodymium, hafnium). Investments are linked to the
global shift to low-carbon energy generation and energy
storage.
Additional Information
The information was submitted for publication through the agency
of the contact person set out above, at 9th
July 2019 at 4:00 am
Vancouver time.
Leading Edge Materials is listed on the TSXV under the symbol
"LEM" and Nasdaq First North Stockholm under the symbol
"LEMSE". Mangold Fondkommission AB is the Company's CA on
Nasdaq First North and may be contacted at +46 (0) 8 5030
1550.
Reader Advisory
This news release may contain statements which
constitute "forward-looking information", including
statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and
current expectations of the Company, its directors,
or its officers with respect to the future business activities of
the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend",
"plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar
expressions, as they relate to the Company, or
its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future business
activities and involve
risks and uncertainties, and
that the Company's future business activities may
differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements as a result of various
factors, including, but not limited to,
fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of
the Company, the expectations, completion and implementation of the
results regarding the research to produce expandable
graphite using materials from the Woxna graphite mine in
Sweden, continued
availability of capital and financing and general economic, market
or business conditions. There can be no
assurances that such information will prove accurate
and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation
of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any
obligation to update any forward-looking information except as
required under the applicable securities laws.
Woxna has never defined a mineral reserve and the previous
preliminary economic assessment on Woxna dated October 29, 2013, has been superseded by the
Company's current technical report dated May
11, 2015. As the Woxna facility is not in production but
remains on a production ready status, any future decision to
recommence mining at Woxna will not be based on a preliminary
economic assessment demonstrating the potential viability of
mineral resources or feasibility study of mineral reserves
demonstrating economic and technical viability. Under these
circumstances, there is increased risk of technical and economic
failure for the Woxna project, and the Company discloses additional
risk factors relating thereto. The Company advises that it has not
based its production decision on a feasibility study of mineral
reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability, and, as a
result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any
particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such
recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a
commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a
much higher risk of economic and technical failure. There is no
guarantee that production will begin as anticipated or at all or
that anticipated production costs will be achieved. Failure to
commence production would have a material adverse impact on the
Company's ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund
operations. Failure to achieve any anticipated production costs
would have a material adverse impact on the Company's cash flow and
future profitability. Mineral resources that are not mineral
reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this news release.
SOURCE Leading Edge Materials