Infinity Stone Ventures Corp., has entered into a contract with SGS Canada Inc. to conduct a flotation and hydrometallurgical test program (the “Program“) on a 2.7kg sample from Infinity Stone’s Rockstone Graphite Project located 45 kilometres west of the City of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada (the “Rockstone Project“). In addition, testing will be performed to investigate the possibility of further impurity removal of the purified graphite through acidic fluoride leaching.
The goal of the Program is to explore the production of EV battery-grade graphite (99.8% Cg purity) derived from the Rockstone Project. Infinity Stone in collaboration with SGS Labs, previously was able to refine samples from the Rockstone Project to 96.1% Cg purity. Rockstone Project graphite morphology appears to be highly ordered hexagonal graphite crystallites and crystallite agglomerates, likely formed by hydrothermal activity at a formation temperature of 702 C.
Graphite is a key mineral in the production of EV battery cells. Approximately 1.2kg of graphite per kWh of energy capacity is required for modern EV battery cells.1 For reference, this means that a Tesla Model S 100D has approximately 120kg of graphite. Tesla recently visited Nouveau Monde Graphite, a Quebec based graphite miner and processor, further demonstrating the development of “Québec’s Battery Valley,” as many companies working on battery materials have made significant investments there lately, including GM and Livent.2
“With a global deficit of graphite expected this year, and China currently controlling 84 per cent of the global supply, our Rockstone Project is strategically positioned to meet the rapidly growing demand,” said Zayn Kalyan, CEO of Infinity Stone. “We are looking forward to a number of upcoming catalysts as we further exploration work on the Project, including our pending drill program, alongside today’s metallurgical program,” furthered Mr. Kalyan.
Infinity Stone is expecting to receive drilling permits this month, initiating its Fall Drilling program. The Company intends to twin the GC-12-01 high-grade discovery hole and to drill numerous other EM targets. There are more than 18 additional EM anomalies on the Project similar to the GC-12-01 discovery anomaly that the Company has identified as drill targets.
The company is currently working with the exploration team to draft a National Instrument 43-101 compliant report based on the exploration work done on the project and to coordinate further exploration.