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Kibaran Resources to brand Tanzania graphite under TanzGraphite trademark

Last updated: 12:00 25 Mar 2015 AEDT, First published: 11:00 25 Mar 2015 AEDT

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Kibaran Resources’ (ASX:KNL) newly obtained TanzGraphiteTM trademark will be the global brand name used for marketing both its natural large flake graphite from Tanzania and all its downstream products.

This follows its acceptance for registration by IP Australia. TanzGraphite is also the name of its Tanzanian entity.

Graphite demand is forecast to grow 8.6% each year until 2020, driven by the development of mega battery factories that will need spherical graphite as a key input, the use of expanded graphite in energy efficient building products, the technology sectors, and the development of the dynamic new material, graphene.

All testwork to date supports the use of TanzGraphiteTM from the Epanko graphite deposit in each of these markets due to the premium quality that has an unrivalled melting point and purity, making it suitable for every known industrial application.

Recent testwork confirmed that both the Epanko and Merelani graphite projects are of spherical grade with one of the highest purities known, being 99.98% carbon.

Epanko’s carbon purity is the highest reported among its peer group and will provide significant advantages to the requirements of the emerging battery market.

“Obtaining the TanzGraphiteTM trademark positions Kibaran to internationally brand the company’s premium quality graphite as uniquely Tanzanian, in preparation for graphite sales,” executive director Andrew Spinks said.


TanzGraphite

TanzGraphiteTM will be the identifier for all products using the company’s graphite sourced from its Epanko, Merelani and Tanga projects.

These will be exclusively used by 3D Graphtech Industries to evaluate graphite inks in the fast growing 3D printing sector.

3D Graphtech Industries is strategically positioning itself for participation in a newly emerging high tech frontier and is owned equally by Kibaran and 333D Pty Ltd. 333D Pty Ltd is currently undertaking a transaction with Oz Brewing (ASX:OZB).
   
In addition to the existing off-take and sales agreements the company has secured in the sophisticated European market, the company is currently in discussion with a number of organisations regarding partnerships in the battery manufacturing industry.

A TanzGraphiteTM specimen from the Epanko graphite deposit is in the process of being included within the mineral collection of The Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (Natural History Museum of Berlin).

The museum’s interest stems from TanzGraphiteTM origin from a geological mineral occurrence unique to Tanzania and resultant premium graphite characteristics.


Recent Activity

Earlier this week, the company started a high level study into the production of battery grade spherical graphite from its Epanko Project within the broader Mahenge Project in Tanzania.

This will also evaluate the feasibility of establishing a spherical graphite manufacturing facility in Dar es Salaam.

Kibaran’s initial focus will be to produce battery grade spherical graphite for the battery manufacturers which involves mechanical machining of natural flake graphite and then purification.

The value upgrade is in the order of 3 to 4 times more than prices for graphite concentrate with prices greater than $4000 per tonne expected.



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