Graphite samples sent to China for metallurgical evaluation
![Oar Resources Exploration Manager Oar Resources Exploration Manager Ross Cameron inspecting drill core during the tenure-wide review of Western Eyre Peninsula. These are not the samples sent to China.](https://australianminingreview.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/OAR-Resources-Exploration-Manager-Ross-Cameron.jpeg)
Graphite samples from Oar Resources’ (ASX:OAR) namesake graphite project have been sent to a research facility in China for metallurgical evaluation.
Eight samples from two historic holes have been sent to the Beijing General Research Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (BGRIMM) with the goal of producing a saleable graphite product.
Furthermore, relevant South Australian Government agencies have granted an exploration program for environmental protection and rehabilitation (EPEPR) for a 5000m air core drilling program. This will test additional geophysical target areas and expand the current mineral resource estimate of 6.22mt at 4.8% total graphite content.
Oar will also begin bench scale metallurgical test work with the aim of producing a scalable processing flowheet which can produce a saleable product.
This work can begin immediately upon receiving favourable news from China as Oar has enough samples from previous drilling to begin work. This will significantly speed up the process of conducting pilot scale processing studies, allowing Oar to approach offtake partners in an accelerated timeframe.
Managing director Paul Stephen commented on recent work undertaken.
“Our team has been working closely alongside a range of critical minerals development experts to accelerate momentum at the Oar graphite project and test our product throughout various stages of the graphite supply chain,” he said.
“As well as progressing a 5000m reverse circulation drilling campaign at Oar to test graphite mineralisation detected through geophysical surveys, OAR is working on multiple fronts to extract maximum value from our sizeable landholding and critical mineral interests on the Western Eyre Peninsula.”