Focus Graphite hires Met-Chem for Lac Knife feasibility

Nov 4, 2013

FOCUS GRAPHITE RETAINS MET-CHEM TO COMPLETE A FEASIBILITY STUDY AND MINE CLOSURE PLAN FOR LAC KNIFE GRAPHITE PROJECT

Focus Graphite Inc. has retained the services of Quebec-based Met-Chem Canada Inc. to complete a feasibility study and mine closure plan to bring the Lac Knife graphite project closer to a production decision.

The contract was awarded to Met-Chem following a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process where highly qualified national and international engineering firms were invited to tender.

The feasibility study scope of work involves a comprehensive review of all project characteristics — from process validation to capital costs, operational costs and basic engineering leading to the detailed engineering; marketing; environmental; health and safety; and other considerations in order to further validate and integrate the various technical aspects of the project. The feasibility study is expected to be completed during the summer of 2014.

With an environmental and social impact assessment well under way, definition drilling completed, assays received and recent pilot plant test results in hand, the company deemed the Lac Knife project ready to move to the feasibility phase.

With the launch of the feasibility study, the Focus development team along with Met-Chem will plan, schedule and budget the design, construction and commissioning of this project to bring Lac Knife’s high-quality graphite concentrate to the market. The feasibility level of design is intended to provide a higher level of accuracy to the capital and operating costs required to finance, build and operate the mine.

Don Baxter, PEng, president and chief operating officer of Focus Graphite, stated, “My mandate upon joining Focus is to accelerate the process to bring the Lac Knife development project to a production decision.

“Considering the amount of work already completed at Lac Knife, including the recent completion of the pilot plant operation with extremely positive results showing large-flake concentrate grades reaching 98.3 per cent [total carbon] from an optimized flotation and polishing circuit, it was decided to commence the feasibility study immediately,” Mr. Baxter said.

He added that a full mine closure plan is included in the scope of work in order to have this required step expedited before arriving at a construction decision.

“The first priority of the study will be to plan and schedule tasks to prioritize and initiate derisking initiatives in order to accelerate the project timeline,” Mr. Baxter said.

Met-Chem Canada is an international consulting engineering company that provides a comprehensive range of technical services, which extend from exploration programs through conceptual and feasibility studies, mine development and production, to facility closure stages within the mining, mineral processing and infrastructure industries. With headquarters in Montreal, Que., Met-Chem is a wholly owned subsidiary of UEC Technologies LLC which is part of United States Steel Corp. in Pittsburgh, Penn. Met-Chem was originally established in 1969 to design and construct the Mount Wright iron ore facilities for Quebec Cartier Mining Company. Since then, Met-Chem has been providing expert advice to clients in over 30 countries worldwide involving iron ore, pelletizing, steel, industrial minerals, precious metals, base metals, platinum group metals, bauxite and coal. Met-Chem is a multidisciplinary engineering company comprising engineers and technicians in geology; mining; metallurgy and process; civil; structural; mechanical; piping; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; electrical; and instrumentation/automation. It also has the necessary support staff in project controls, procurement, estimating, scheduling and administration. Independent of the project scope, Met-Chem provides the project management staff with the autonomy and resources to serve the client in the most effective manner emphasizing client participation in all phases of a project in order to ensure client satisfaction. Met-Chem is committed to conducting its business in an ethical and lawful manner. The reputation of Met-Chem is a valuable business asset, and ethical and legal conduct at all levels of its business is essential for its continued success. Met-Chem achieves and maintains the highest standard of safety and industrial hygiene, and committed to delivering projects within cost and on schedule.

This news release has been reviewed by Don Baxter, PEng, president and chief operating officer of the company, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 guidelines.

We seek Safe Harbor.

http://www.focusgraphite.com/news/press-releases/2013-2