Graphite Uses Due to Increase Demand on Mining of Natural, Flake Graphite
NEW YORK, NY and WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/10/14 -- Next Graphite, Inc. (OTCQB: GPNE) ("Next Graphite", or the "Company"), a development/exploration stage company in Africa's Republic of Namibia targeting the growing global graphite production industry, today provided an outlook on its business and the fast-developing demand for natural, flake graphite. Historically, the Company's Aukam mine has produced 25,000 tons of graphite and has recently reported 180,000 tons of graphite bearing rock in three surface-visible tailings mounds on its property.
On June 4, 2014 Next Graphite provided preliminary results from its Aukam Graphite Project and summarized the key findings from the property's vein lodes, graphite grade, flake size and tailings. The Company's Aukam mine was established in 1940 and successfully mined the property until 1974 when it suspended operations. At today's value, the 25,000 tons of graphite would be worth USD$30.0 million. The Company is continuing its evaluation of the Aukam property with leading graphite experts from around the world and will update its shareholders on the planned Phase Two development program in the near term. Next Graphite's goal is to be processing medium- to large-flake size graphite by the first quarter of 2015.
Global Industry Analyst Inc. estimates that carbon and graphite markets will reach $7.5 billion by 2015. Graphite demand is fueled by the automotive industry, iron and steel industries and new and emerging technologies such as those in batteries. Graphite and diamonds are the only two naturally formed polymers of carbon. Unlike diamond, graphite is a conductor of heat and electricity and has the highest natural strength and stiffness of any material. It maintains its strength and stability to temperatures in excess of 3,600°C and is resistant to chemical attack. At the same time it is one of the lightest of all reinforcing agents and has high natural lubricity.
"We see a lot of what is happening in the graphite mining and production sector worldwide and we feel we are positioned to benefit from these trends," began Cliff Bream, President and CEO of Next Graphite, Inc. "Production of synthetic graphite from facilities mostly in China are under increasing pressure to upgrade to meet environmental standards and some facilities have been closed due to sub-standard practices. This has heightened the focus on the natural flake graphite we are preparing to mine and process in the first quarter of next year. The frequency of graphite's mention and use, most recently in multi-billion-dollar battery facilities for HEV and EV vehicles, is a peek into the future demand of graphite and one which we anticipate will increase throughout the year," Bream concluded.
About Next Graphite, Inc.:
Next Graphite, Inc. is a development/exploration stage company targeting the growing global graphite industry with the Company's 125,000-acre Namibian-based Aukam Graphite Project. The Aukam Graphite Mine was established in 1940 in the current Republic of Namibia, produced USD$30 million of graphite at today's prices, and is estimated to contain, high-grade, large-flake, hydrothermal-sourced graphite mineralization. It is estimated that the shear-zone hosting the deposit contains about 3.2 million tons of remobilized rock. Global graphite demand is being driven by the development of new markets for clean and efficient energy alternatives, smart grid infrastructure and military capabilities. Next Graphite has immediately available, surface-visible, estimated 180, 000-ton tailings piles, along with competitive projected mining and processing costs. The completion of GPNE's Aukam Graphite Mine re-launch and development activities is expected to result in a multi-million dollar inward investment into Namibia in 2014-2015.
For more information, please visit: www.nextgraphite.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements are based upon the current plans, estimates and projections of Resource Acquisition's management and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning market and industry segment growth and demand and acceptance of new and existing products; any projections of sales, earnings, revenue, margins or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; uncertainties related to conducting business in Africa, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: business conditions in Africa, general economic conditions; geopolitical events and regulatory changes, availability of capital, the Company's ability to maintain its competitive position and dependence on key management. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
CONTACT:
John Mattio
Investor Relations
+1 949 397-2522 ext. 3
ir@nextgraphite.com
Source: Next Graphite, Inc.