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ZEN Zentek Ltd

1.20
0.00 (0.00%)
26 Dec 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type
Zentek Ltd TSXV:ZEN TSX Venture Common Stock
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 1.20 1.20 1.23 0 00:00:00

Zenyatta; Experts Establish First Geological Model at Lakehead University for One-of-a-Kind Albany Graphite Deposit; Governme...

04/02/2014 1:10pm

Marketwired Canada


Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. ("Zenyatta" or "Company") (TSX VENTURE:ZEN) is pleased to
report on recent geological research at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay on
the Company's unique Albany graphite deposit. The unusual mode of formation,
through igneous hydrothermal processes, accounts for the superior purity and
crystallinity of graphite found in this 'one of a kind' deposit.


Also, the Government of Canada has awarded a collaborative research grant
through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council ('NSERC') to
assist Dr. Andrew Conly (associate professor, Department of Geology at Lakehead
University) in carrying out further studies on the unique Albany graphite
deposit. This is in addition to the support Zenyatta recently received from the
National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program for
metallurgical testing.


Dr. Andrew Conly observed, "Evidence has shown that Zenyatta has discovered a
unique sub-class of a hydrothermal graphite deposit unlike any other. Igneous
breccia-hosted graphite deposits like Albany are very rare, and to the best of
my knowledge, none are currently being mined or even in an advanced stage of
exploration globally. Our on-going research of the Albany deposit will establish
the first genetic model for this distinctive type of graphite. I would like to
thank NSERC for their recent important contribution in assisting myself and
students at Lakehead University during further development of this geological
model."


Diagrams showing the various stages of geological deposition can be found at
www.zenyatta.ca under 'Graphite Project'.


In contrast to more commonly occurring flake and amorphous graphite deposits,
the unusual hydrothermal style in the Albany deposit can be processed, at a cost
advantage, to yield high purity, crystalline graphite ideally suited for
advanced high-tech applications. The world trend is to develop products for
technological applications that need extraordinary performance using ultra-high
purity graphite powder at an affordable cost. High purity is gaining prominence
at a time when Zenyatta discovered a very rare, (hydrothermal) graphite deposit,
which can be upgraded to 99.99% carbon ('C') with very good crystallinity
without the use of aggressive acids and high thermal treatment. The development
of this deposit would place Zenyatta in a strong position to compete in
specialised markets such as those currently supplied by high-cost synthetic
graphite. When combined with a large, discrete ultra-high purity graphite
deposit and the growth potential of these markets, the substantial potential of
the Albany graphite deposit becomes quite evident.


Dr. Conly stated, "The preliminary genetic model (as presented in the NI 43-101
Technical Report, Jan 2014) had to account for Albany's key attributes,
including: 1) highly pure and crystalline graphite; 2) brecciated
(volcanic-hosted) pipes, consisting of both angular & rounded fragments; and, 3)
simple mineralogy (i.e. essentially graphite, quartz & feldspar) with minimal
alteration associated with graphite deposition. Our research at Lakehead
University is working on characterizing the nature of the graphite forming fluid
(i.e. carbon dioxide CO2 versus methane CH4). Such information is crucial for
developing a comprehensive and well-constrained genetic model for this uncommon
type of graphite mineralization."


Dr. Conly also noted that, "The far more common flake type (sedimentary)
graphite deposits form through a completely different geological process. Flake
graphite commonly occurs globally in metasedimentary rocks as a result of the
conversion of organic matter through regional or contact metamorphism.
Graphitization of organic matter is well understood to be due to heating and
compression of organic matter in situ over a long period of time and this
process results in graphite that contains various impurities."


Peter Wood, VP Exploration for Zenyatta, commented, "Dr. Conly has been involved
in the study of the Albany graphite deposit since Zenyatta's initial discovery
drill hole in 2011. He was one of the first to recognize the geological
significance and the economic importance of such a find. Academic work completed
under Dr. Conly's supervision has considerably increased our understanding of
the geological processes required for formation, and confirms that the Albany
graphite deposit is not like any other graphite occurrence previously discovered
or documented. It represents a unique geological setting that has led to the
formation of highly crystalline graphite of unusually high purity."


A high degree of crystallinity and purity results in various positive qualities
that graphite is known for such as electrical conductivity, thermal
conductivity, compressibility, dimension stability, bending strength and
lubricity. These qualities are very important for emerging high-tech or
clean-tech applications. The highest quality material of ultra-high purity
(greater than 99.95% C) graphite will demand a premium price in the range of
$5,000 - $25,000 per tonne depending on the application.


Others like synthetic graphite producers and upgraded flake producers (including
China) are faced with escalating energy costs associated with turning petroleum
(needle) coke or flake graphite into high purity powder. It requires extensive
thermal treatment (up to 3000 degrees C) and/or aggressive acid treatment. Not
only is this a costly process for others but it also has associated
environmental issues.


Somewhat simplified, there are three (3) different processes leading to the
formation of graphite deposits. Natural graphite material has varying levels of
quality depending on the type (amorphous, flake or hydrothermal). The degree of
purity can vary greatly, which heavily influences the use of the material in
applications and its pricing:


1. Amorphous (Sedimentary) graphite is derived from the metamorphism of coal
deposits. Graphite formed under these conditions is characterized by incomplete
structural ordering, abundant impurities and low crystallization, resulting in
low value "amorphous" graphite with its main market in foundry applications.


2. Flake (Sedimentary) graphite is the metamorphism of organic material. The
formation of these deposits involves sedimentation and then alteration of
carbonaceous organic matter to graphite during regional metamorphism containing
abundant impurities. Upgrading of graphite from this deposit type is complex and
costly as a result of processing using aggressive acids and/or thermal
treatment.


3. Hydrothermal (Volcanic) graphite deposits. The formation of these deposits is
associated with migrating supercritical carbon-bearing (C-O-H) fluids or
fluid-rich magmas associated with igneous (or volcanic) activity. The formation
of the carbon-bearing fluids is most often a consequence of high temperature
metamorphism, but magmatic degassing can also produce graphite. Fluid
precipitated graphite is well-ordered and can be a source of highly valued
crystalline or vein-type graphite.


The Albany graphite deposit is a unique example of a hydrothermal graphite
deposit in which a large volume of highly crystalline, fluid-deposited graphite
occurs within an igneous host. The deposit is interpreted as a vent pipe breccia
that formed from CO2-rich fluids that evolved due to pressure-related degassing
of syenites of the Albany Alkalic Complex (Conly, 2014). A more detailed
explanation can be found in the NI 43-101 Technical Report dated 16 January 2014
under the section 'Deposit Type' filed on www.sedar.com.


Zenyatta continues to develop its 100% owned Albany Graphite Deposit located in
northeastern Ontario, Canada. The Company's graphite deposit is located 30 km
north of the Trans-Canada Highway, power line and natural gas pipeline near the
communities of Constance Lake First Nation and Hearst. A rail line is located 70
km away with an all-weather road approximately 4-5 km from the graphite deposit.


The outlook for the global graphite market is very favourable with demand
growing rapidly from new applications. It is now considered one of the more
strategic elements by many leading industrial nations, particularly for its
growing importance in high technology manufacturing and in the emerging "green"
industries such as electric vehicle components and energy storage. The
application for graphitic material is constantly evolving due to its unique
chemical, electrical and thermal properties. It maintains its stability and
strength under temperatures in excess of 3,300 degrees C and is very resistant
to chemical corrosion. It is also one of the lightest of all reinforcing
elements and has high natural lubricating abilities. Some of these key physical
and chemical properties make it critical to modern industry.


Mr. Peter Wood, P.Geo., Zenyatta Ventures Ltd., Vice President Exploration, is
the "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and
approved the technical information contained in this news release. To find out
more on Zenyatta Ventures Ltd., please visit website www.zenyatta.ca.


Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term
is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility
for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This News Release includes certain
"forward-looking statements", which often, but not always, can be identified by
the use of words such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "potential",
"estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". These statements are
based on information currently available to Zenyatta and Zenyatta provides no
assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations.
Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements with respect to
Zenyatta's future plans, objectives or goals, to the effect that Zenyatta or
management expects a stated condition or result to occur, including in this News
Release. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address
future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks
and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of
exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Zenyatta's
mineral properties, and Zenyatta's financial condition and prospects, could
differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many
reasons such as: changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the
financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation,
legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and
competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered
in connection with Zenyatta's activities; and other matters discussed in this
News Release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not
exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Zenyatta's forward-looking
statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers
should not place undue reliance on Zenyatta's forward-looking statements.
Zenyatta does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be
made from time to time by Zenyatta or on its behalf, except in accordance with
applicable securities laws.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 
Zenyatta Ventures Ltd.
807-346-1660
info@zenyatta.ca
www.zenyatta.ca

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