Overview
Stage | Construction |
Mine Type | Open Pit |
Commodities |
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Mining Method |
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Processing |
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Gratomic emphasizes that no PEA, Preliminary Feasibility Study or Feasibility Study has been completed to support any level of production. No mineral resources, or mineral reserves demonstrating economic viability and technical feasibility, have been delineated on the Aukam property. The Company is not in a position to demonstrate or disclose any capital and/or operating costs that may be associated with the processing plant until the PFS is completed. The Company is working towards completing a Feasibility Study (FS) on the Aukam Processing plant. Gratomic continues to move its business towards production and as part of its business plan, expects to file a National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects resource estimate in Q3 2022. April 21, 2022, Gratomic Inc. announces the production of the first batch of processed graphite from its Aukam plant in Namibia, as part of the wet commissioning process. |
Latest News | Gratomic Announces Product in Bag (PIB) From its Aukam Project in Namibia April 22, 2022 |
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Summary:
The Aukam Graphite project is a property located in Namibia’s Karas Region in Africa. The Aukam property is comprised of Exclusive Prospecting Licences EPL 3895, EPL 6710, EPL 7512, EPL 7513, in respect of base and rare metals, industrial minerals, and precious metals. Located in the district of Bethanie, Karas region of southern Namibia, the licence areas total 137,473 hectares, are contiguous and include the farm Aukam104 and Harichab121.
The Aukam graphite deposit has the characteristics of a vein-style graphite deposit. The graphite is predominantly concentrated in veins, with only minor disseminated graphite occurring in the host rock. It is believed that the graphite formed by precipitation from a CO2 – rich hydrothermal fluid channeled along the shear zone, and possibly related to an intrusion at depth.
The graphite in the Aukam area is hosted by altered Garub Sequence granite that is exposed in an erosional window in the Nama cover (Goldfields, 1987b). In the vicinity of the graphite occurrence, the granite is coarse grained, variably altered (see below) and generally shows a well-developed foliation with an easterly to south easterly trend and a south to southwest moderate to steep dip.
Schist and gneiss, both of which are quartz and biotite dominant, well foliated rocks, also occur in the vicinity of the graphite occurrence. The gneiss, which is distinctly banded, forms discrete positively weathered outcrops to the east and west of the main workings. Both lithologies appear to be intruded by the granite, primarily as narrow interfingering apophyses or dikes.
Late pegmatite veins, which are widespread in the area, cut the altered granite in places above the workings. Dolerite dikes also cross cut the granite in the vicinity of the graphite workings.
Alteration is most apparent in the granite and includes K-feldspar, sericite, epidote and kaolinite (de Kock, 1935, Goldfields 1987b). There appears to be a zonation of alteration of the granite from a general, widespread kaolinization over an area of at least 450m x 100m, within the shear zone, to intense epidotization in the immediate vicinity of the graphite veins and lenses. Hematite –limonite is also often found closely associated with the graphite mineralization, typically adjacent to the massive lenses as a halo and as stockwork type veins in places. Local concentrations of red/pink garnet also occur in the granite.
Graphite mineralization at Aukam occurs as massive lenses and veins, and as disseminated patches mostly associated with strong alteration. It is hosted by an east-west trending shear zone traceable on surface for about 400 metres along with mapping indicating the mineralization may extend for four kilometres.
Alteration and mineralized are believed to be caused by CO2-rich fluids channeled by the shear zone (Goldfields 1987b). De Kock (1935) speculates that the graphite was introduced into fissures and fractures by hydrothermal solutions subsequent to the intrusion of the granite since the granite is strongly altered in the presence of graphite. This suggests a hydrothermal fluid responsible for the alteration of the granite and the precipitation of graphite, possibly due to a redox reaction with iron oxides hematite and limonite that often accompany significant occurrences of graphite.
Goldfields (1987b) suggested that the hydrothermal fluids may be related to an intrusive at depth to the east of the deposit along the extension of the shear zone. The presence of a strong magnetic anomaly is given as evidence of the intrusive.
Summary:
The Aukam property covers a historical vein graphite mine that consists of five underground adits and an open pit. Associated with the old workings are five surface stockpiles that still contain significant graphitic material.
Three graphite stockpiles, lumps, fines and coarse fines, resulting from bulk sampling and screening programs undertaken by Gratomic are stored at Aukam and ready to be processed. Assays of samples of the coarse fines ranged between 9.83% and 15.52% Cg, and averaged 13.06% Cg. Samples of fines ranged between 8.06% and 53.03% Cg and averaged 17.92% Cg and samples of lumps ranged between 16.90% and 61.06% Cg and averaged 46.92% Cg.
Gratomic Inc. is aiming to transition to an open pit operation as early as the end of 2021.
Gratomic Inc. currently boasts two outstanding pre-production purchase agreements for its high purity, vein graphite. The first of which exists with Phu Sumika. Gratomic has agreed to supply Phu Sumika with 37,500 tonnes of graphite over a five year term. Phu Sumika will use Aukam graphite to fulfill its end user requirements as a top graphite supplier for lubricants and batteries. The second exists with TODAQ for 5,000 tonnes of graphite to be supplied over three years and will be held in reserve as a backstop to underpin that companies TDN notes.
Crusher / Mill Type | Model | Size | Power | Quantity |
Jaw crusher
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1
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Horizontal shaft impact crusher (HSI)
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1
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Rod mill
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1
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Flow Sheet:
Summary:
On March 29, 2021, Gratomic announced that it has officially started the commissioning phase of its processing plant in Aukam, Namibia. Commissioning will begin with the crushing circuit and progress throughout the other areas of the plant systematically in order of progression.
Commissioning of a mining processing plant is usually divided into 6 progressive stages:
C0 - Constructed to Design including Factory Acceptance
C1 - Pre-commissioning
C2 - Direction Testing
C3 - No Load / Dry Commissioning
C4 - Load / Wet Commissioning
C5 - Project Completion
Gratomic is currently entering into Direction Testing (C2 phase) of the equipment composed of the crushing circuit of the plant. This stage consists of energizing the equipment and ensuring it rotates in the right direction, stroking the control systems, calibrating instruments and verifying protections.
The final layout for the processing plant has been completed. ........

Corporate Filings & Presentations:
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2021
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2021
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2021
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2020
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Technical Report
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2016
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News:
News | Date |
Gratomic Announces Product in Bag (PIB) From its Aukam Project in Namibia
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April 22, 2022
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Gratomic Announces Launching of Operational Readiness (OR) of its Aukam Graphite Processing Plant in Namibia
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January 26, 2022
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Gratomic Announces Extension of Closing of $27 Million Non-Brokered Private Placement
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January 21, 2022
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Gratomic Announces Update on the Commissioning of its Aukam Graphite Processing Plant in Namibia
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January 11, 2022
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Gratomic Announces Next Steps for Air Classification Equipment at its Aukam Processing Plant in Namibia
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January 10, 2022
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Gratomic Announces Over-Subscription and Increase of Non-Brokered Private Placement to $27 Million
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December 15, 2021
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Gratomic Proudly Announces Aukam Processing Plant Transition into Wet Commissioning
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September 27, 2021
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Gratomic Provides Update on Aukam Vein Graphite Project, Pre-Feasibility Study and Independent Lab Results
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September 7, 2021
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Gratomic Acquires Remaining 37% Interest in Aukam Property
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July 29, 2021
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Gratomic Finalizes Agreement to Acquire Remaining 37% Interest in Aukam Property
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June 29, 2021
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Gratomic Provides Further Update on its Acquisition of the Remaining 37% Interest in Aukam Property
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April 22, 2021
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Gratomic Inc.: Second Commissioning Update on Aukam Processing Plant
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April 13, 2021
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Gratomic Intends to Fully Power Its Aukam Processing Facility Through Solar Energy by 2022, Offering an Even Greener Option to the Global Electric Vehicle Supply Chain
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April 8, 2021
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Gratomic Announces Commissioning of Aukam Processing Plant
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March 29, 2021
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Gratomic Provides Further Update on Its Acquisition of The Remaining 37% Interest in Aukam Property
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March 19, 2021
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Gratomic Provides Update on Its Acquisition of the Remaining 37% Interest in Aukam Property
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February 17, 2021
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Gratomic Announces Update on Construction at Aukam Graphite Project
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January 14, 2021
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Gratomic Announces Completion of Civil Construction Work and Begins Final Equipment Assembly
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December 30, 2020
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Concrete Expert Arrives on Site to Complete Final Phase of Construction on Aukam Processing Plant
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November 20, 2020
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Gratomic Signs Agreement to Acquire Remaining 37% Interest in Aukam Property
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November 19, 2020
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Gratomic Inc.: Masonry and Concrete Work Progresses at Aukam
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November 9, 2020
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Gratomic One Step Closer to Completion of Aukam Processing Plant
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October 15, 2020
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Gratomic Announces Aukam Graphite Property Construction Update
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October 6, 2020
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Gratomic Launches its First Graphene from Gratomic Graphite Derived Product
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May 23, 2019
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Gratomic Inc Provides Update on Construction of Commercial Scale Graphite Processing Plant and Exploration Activities at Aukam Mine, Namibia
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May 3, 2019
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Gratomic Submits Mining License Application
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March 4, 2019
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