Aukam

The Aukam Graphite Project is located in southern Namibia close to the port city of Luderitz. The property hosts five underground adits which were mined periodically between 1940 and 1974. Five surface stockpiles from the historical mining occurred on the property and 73 composite samples were taken from the lower three stockpiles, assayed and averaged 42% Carbon as graphite (Cg).

The Aukam property covers a historical vein graphite mine that consists of five adits and an open pit. Associated with the old workings are five surface stockpiles that still contain significant graphitic material. Data obtained over the past 8 years of the project has led to a better understanding of the quality and distribution of the graphite mineralization at Aukam. In particular, exploration has demonstrated significant potential for expansion of the mineralization outside the old workings.

April 28, 2017 Gratomic (previously CKR) announced that it had completed 28 diamond drill holes with a total length of 630 metres with individual holes varying in length from 3 metres to 45 metres. Of the 28 holes, 16 intersected vein and/or disseminated graphite and four were abandoned in old workings. Logging, core cutting and sampling are ongoing. Chip channel samples from three exposed graphite veins in the underground workings assayed 18.34% Cg over 0.9 metres (0.85m true width), 41.98% Cg over 0.84 metres (0.83m true width) and 56.06% Cg over 1 metre (true width unknown) from the south wall of a stope (see News Release dated July 12, 2016). The company has since conducted over 2000 meters of exploratory driling. View full technical report below.

This exploration has led to the awarding of Mining Licence (ML 215) by the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Namibia. The Licence covers Base and Rare Metals, Industrial Minerals and Precious Metals. The Licence area falls within the proximity of the Aukam Processing Plant and the Graphite bearing shear zone for a total of 5002 hectares (5002 ha). Securing the mining licence is a critical step towards moving the Aukam Mine into commercial production.

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AUKAM GRAPHITE PROJECT

Located in Namibia, Africa, this historic mine brought prosperity to the Karas region in previous decades. Its first operational phase began in 1940 and it remained in production for 16 years, ceasing operations in 1956. The second phase of activity began in 1964 and the mine remained active unit 1974. The Aukam Graphite Project is currently in preparation for phase three of its life, with commercial production anticipated to commence 2023. Phase three will allow the mine to realize its full potential with an estimated 22,000 tonnes per annum of high purity, vein graphite production.

AUKAM PROCESSING FACILITY

Gratomic Inc. possesses a unique advantage in its visionary leadership team. This innovative and dynamic team approaches business and mining with a fresh perspective and passionate involvement in all aspects of the company. The Aukam Graphite Project proudly hosts a state-of-the-art custom designed production facility, which is currently in its commissioning and calibration phase. Eco-friendly and sustainable, the custom-built plant is designed for expansion and with the environment in mind. The facility has been tailored for water conservation, boasting an estimated 95% recovery rate during the graphite processing phase.

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EV BATTERY SUPPLY

Gratomic is an advanced materials company focused on low-cost mine to market commercialization of carbon-neutral, eco-friendly, high purity vein graphite and is set to become a key player in EV and Renewable Resource supply chains. Gratomic Inc. is a leader among peers, anticipating full operational capabilities in 2023. The Company is in the process of solidifying its development plans for micronization and spheronization of its clean Aukam graphite. This significant milestone is a small, additional step in the Company’s existing Eco-friendly processing cycle , which will allow its naturally high-purity graphite to meet ideal battery grade standards for use in Li-ion battery anodes.

TYPES OF NATURAL GRAPHITE

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Three graphite stockpiles, lumps, fines and coarse fines, resulting from bulk sampling and screening programs undertaken by Gratomic are stored at Aukam and ready to be processed. Assays of samples of the coarse fines ranged between 9.83% and 15.52% Cg, and averaged 13.06% Cg. Samples of fines ranged between 8.06% and 53.03% Cg and averaged 17.92% Cg and samples of lumps ranged between 16.90% and 61.06% Cg and averaged 46.92% Cg.

EPL and ML 2023

PROPERTY

The Aukam Graphite Project is located in southern Namibia close to the port city of Luderitz. The property is comprised of Exclusive Prospecting License (EPL) 3895 8746 (pending ECC) that covers an area of 54,695 hectares (546 square kilometers) in the Karas region of southern Namibia. There is year-round road access to the Aukam project from paved Highway B4 that runs between Luderitz and Keetmanshoop via district gravel roads south from the Highway. The infrastructure in the area is good with nearby power from the national grid, water from underground aquifers and a rail link to Luderitz and Keetmanshoop adjacent to Highway B4 approximately 70 km north of the project.

HISTORICAL MINING

The property hosts five underground adits which were mined periodically between 1940 and 1974.

In addition to the underground workings on the property, there are five surface stockpiles that remain from the historical mine-site. These stockpiles still contain significant graphite and assays of samples taken during detailed sampling on a 10m x 10m grid ranged between 3.98 and 57.07% Cg (carbon as graphite) and averaged 20.04% Cg.

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INFRASTRUCTURE

  • Luderitz Harbour – 500m cargo &
  • Container quay
  • Paved Highway
  • Rail Line
  • 1.5 hr from Atlantic Ocean Shoreline
  • Karas Region

 

*Map Courtesy of Google Maps

TECHNICAL REPORT

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AUKAM GRAPHITE MINE GALLERY

In 2012, CEO & President Arno Brand began searching for high-quality graphite assets in order to stake a position in the burgeoning graphite industry. Brand’s global search brought up an exquisite example of high-quality vein graphite in his home nation of Namibia, the Aukam Graphite Project. On top of the high-quality material available on site, Aukam had also already proven its viability through small-scale, historic mining projects throughout the 20th century, between 1940 and 1974. 

Upon entering the lowest of the existing 5 adits, Brand discovered that Aukam was more than an average asset with superior graphite; it was uncharacteristically rare, with seemingly endless graphite veins snaking through the walls. These veins ranged from inches to meters wide. Upon exiting the mine, Brand discovered large, visible graphite veins at the surface, which would later be measured at over 15 kilometers long.  

This first-hand experience with the mine served as the catalyst for the founding of Gratomic Inc., with Brand setting a goal to uncover the potential within Aukam as quickly as possible. A team was established to analyze initial findings from the project, which returned results that provided the confidence for the company to move on to the next phases of asset development.

After conducting follow-up analysis of material retrieved from Aukam, it was determined that the project was an incredibly high crystallinity vein graphite asset. The material was pure and devoid of any deleterious elements. This suggested that the graphite could be processed much more efficiently and in more environmentally friendly ways, using cutting edge technology and techniques. Having determined the quality of the product, the company began designing a custom pilot plant to act as a proof of concept. 

Construction of the pilot plant began in 2018. Once finalized, the plant was put to the test, proving to the Company that their theory was correct.  Aukam graphite could be processed using a patent-pending combination of gentle crushing, floatation, drying and finishing.  The team successfully upgraded the natural graphite to battery anode specifications of 99% + Cg without the use of harmful chemicals and excessive acid leaching. After over one thousand iterations, Gratomic had indeed discovered a carbon neutral method to processing natural graphite.