Tag Archives: Talga Group

Orexplore furthers critical mineral core scanning push with Green Critical Minerals, Northern Minerals agreements

Mineral scanning technology company, Orexplore Technologies Limited, has made inroads into the critical minerals industry after signing two scanning agreements with companies from that sector and progressing an R&D project in collaboration with Uppsala University.

Green Critical Minerals has extended its engagement for a further 2,500 m of core scanning, in addition to 300 m already scanned in 2023 via Orexplore’s laboratory service. This order brings the total value of the engagement to approximately A$226,000 ($149,589) and encompasses scanning of graphite-bearing drill core and the delivery of ore-sorting evaluation, grade proxy modelling and emerging graphitic flake analysis solutions using the dataset captured by the company’s GeoCore X10® hardware, Orexplore says.

Green Critical Minerals is developing the McIntosh graphite project in Western Australia, which, it says, currently has the third largest graphite resource in Australia with 1.1 Mt of contained graphite.

Northern Minerals, meanwhile, has extended its engagement for an additional 900 m of core scanning, following the 420 m already scanned to date. This order brings the total value of the engagement to approximately A$130,000 and encompasses scanning of rare earth-bearing drill core and crushed samples. The project focuses on delivering two Orexplore solutions – ore-sorting evaluation and a proof of concept for operational grade control, the company said.

Northern Minerals is developing the Browns Range heavy rare earth project in Western Australia, which is currently the subject of a definitive feasibility study.

On top of these two agreements, Orexplore said its research and development on critical minerals accelerates with a project it is carrying out in collaboration with Uppsala University in Sweden having recently progressed to scanning samples from Talga Group Limited’s (ASX: TLG) Swedish resources. It has also received a development grant of A$77,000 for advancing a project on lithium scanning technologies with a Swedish lithium producer, which is supported by Sweden’s Vinnova innovation agency.

Talga deepens electrification partnership with ABB on Vittangi Anode project

Following successful completion of its detailed feasibility study on its Vittangi Anode project, Talga Group Ltd has extended and expanded its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ABB.

Talga is constructing an ultra-low emission battery anode production facility and integrated graphite mining operation in northern Sweden, using 100% renewable electricity to supply greener anode for lithium-ion batteries.

According to a recent Life Cycle Assessment prepared by Hitachi ABB Power Grids, the production process of Talga’s flagship anode product Talnode®-C emits 96% less CO2 equivalent than the anode material most commonly used in electric vehicle batteries today. This is equal to a reduction of approximately 2.9 million tonnes of CO2-eq per million electric vehicles, according to the company.

Talga says it aims to electrify its underground mining operations when it reaches the expansion phase of its Swedish battery anode operations. This electrification strategy will be explored by ABB and Talga under the expanded MoU, focusing on the ABB Ability™ eMine portfolio of solutions that ABB launched last week.

Under the MoU, ABB will also extend its industrial automation and electrification expertise to include next-level production and process control solutions for Talga’s initial operation. In addition, ABB will work with Talga on front-end engineering and design (FEED) for the development and construction of commercial 100,000 t/y graphite concentrator operations at Vittangi, a 19,500 t/y anode production plant at Luleå and earlier ramp-up stages/production qualification modules.

The commercial FEED stages are due for completion June 2022, with the intent to execute binding agreements with ABB for subsequent construction and operations.

Commenting on the ABB agreement, Talga Managing Director, Mark Thompson, said: “We are very pleased to deepen our relationship with ABB in the development of what will be the largest integrated lithium-ion battery anode production facility in Europe. The pursuit of innovation towards zero-emission mining is a goal we share with ABB, and we are excited to continue the expanded partnership towards construction of the Vittangi Anode project and future expansions.”

Björn Jonsson, Hub Division Manager North Europe, Process Industries, ABB, said: “Following a detailed planning phase, we had the opportunity to collaborate with Talga on all aspects of the Vittangi Anode project. Now, we can extend our industrial automation and electrification expertise to production and process control solutions, for a successful FEED stage. Together, we will explore the role of ABB Ability eMine, our portfolio of solutions that will help accelerate the move towards a zero-carbon mine, in Talga’s future expansions.”