Kibaran Resources Limited: Binding Agreement for Graphite & Graphene 3D Printing Research
| ASX ANNOUNCEMENT 10 July 2014 |
Binding Agreement for Graphite & Graphene
3D Printing Research
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Binding strategic alliance signed with 3D Group
- New R&D company strategically positioned for participation in 3D printing sector
- Alliance provides Kibaran with exposure to high-growth industry
Kibaran Resources Ltd. (ASX: KNL, the "Company") is pleased to advise it has formalised and signed a binding strategic alliance agreement with 3D Group Pty Ltd (refer ASX announcement 24 June 2014) to jointly establish research and development company 3D Graphtech Industries Pty Ltd.
3D Graphtech Industries jointly owned on a 50/50 basis will be responsible for pursuing patents and collaborative partnerships that investigate the application of graphite and graphene in 3D printing. Graphite for the R&D program will be sourced exclusively from Kibaran's projects in Tanzania.
Under the agreement, Kibaran and 3D Group will jointly fund 3D Graphtec Industries
The 3D printing industry is evolving rapidly, with accelerating technological development forecast to drive the market value from the current US$3.8 billion to US$16.2 billion by 2018 .
In particular, graphene is projected to revolutionise the 3D printing process due to its unique one-atom thick structure coupled with its strength, flexibility and ability to conduct electricity better than traditional metals such as copper .
Kibaran is developing its Mahenge and Merelani graphite deposits in Tanzania, with the aim of becoming a stable and secure supplier of natural flake graphite. Key attributes of the Company's mineralisation are a very coarse flake size, with high crystallinity and purity of +99.9% carbon, all of which are well suited for the production of graphene.
Kibaran Executive Director Andrew Spinks commented:
"The Company is very pleased to form a strategic alliance with the 3D Group, a well respected organisation within Australia's 3D printing sector.
"While development of the Company's Epanko graphite deposit and other graphite assets in Tanzania remains Kibaran's primary focus, this R&D initiative provides Kibaran with a vehicle to participate in the exciting future developments of graphite and graphene.
"Kibaran is currently in preliminary discussions with a renowned research institution, with a view to augment the alliance's participation in the innovation and application of graphite and graphene in the 3D printing process."
An update on discussions will be announced to shareholders in due course.
About Kibaran Resources Limited:
Kibaran Resources Ltd. (ASX: KNL or "Kibaran") is an exploration company with highly prospective graphite and nickel projects located in Tanzania.
The Company's primary focus is on its 100%-owned Epanko deposit, located within the Mahenge Graphite Project. Epanko currently has an Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 14.9Mt, grading 10.5% TGC, for 1.56Mt of contained graphite, defined in accordance with the JORC Code. This initial estimate only covers 20% of the project area. Metallurgy has found Epanko graphite to be large flake and expandable in nature.
Kibaran also has rights to the Merelani-Arusha Graphite Project, located in the north-east of Tanzania. Merelani-Arusha is also considered to be highly prospective for commercial graphite.
Graphite is regarded as a critical material for future global industrial growth, destined for industrial and technology applications including nuclear reactors, lithium-ion battery manufacturing and a source of graphene.
In addition, the Kagera Nickel Project remains underexplored and is located along strike of the Kabanga nickel deposit, owned be Xstrata, which is considered to be the largest undeveloped, high grade nickel sulphide deposit in the world.
For further information, please contact:
Company Secretary
Robert Hodby
Kibaran Resources
P: + 61 8 6380 1003
| The information in this report that relates to Exploration Results, Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves is based on information compiled by Mr Andrew Spinks, who is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy included in a list promulgated by the ASX from time to time. Andrew Spinks is a director of Kibaran Resources Ltd. and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Andrew Spinks consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. |
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