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Kibaran Resources signs 3D graphene printing agreement

Published: 19:51 09 Jul 2014 EDT

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Kibaran Resources (ASX:KNL) has signed a binding agreement with 3D Group to form a joint venture research and development company to investigate the application of graphite and graphene in 3D printing.

The agreement gives the company a foothold in the rapidly evolving 3D printing industry that is forecast to grow to US$16.2 billion by 2018 from US$3.8 billion.

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

The company had signed the previous Memorandum of Understanding with 3D Group in June.

Graphite for the R&D program run by 3D Graphtech Industries Pty Ltd will be sourced exclusively from Kibaran’s projects in Tanzania.

“The company is very pleased to form a strategic alliance with the 3D Group, a well respected organisation within Australia’s 3D printing sector,” executive director Andrew Spinks said.

“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.”

3D printing

3D printing is a revolutionary technology that involves the creation of three dimensional, solid objects from a digital file, of virtually any shape.

It has the potential bring about a quantum shift in the way new materials and products are made with commerciality proven by the production of car parts, jewellery and dental applications such as crowns.

Investigations are also underway to print houses for a fraction of the cost.

Mahenge and Merelani Graphite Deposits


Development of Kibaran’s Epanko graphite deposit within the Mahenge Project in Tanzania remains its top priority.

Metallurgical testwork on samples taken from Epanko have yielded ultra-high purity graphite grading more than 99.9% carbon.

Notably, this was achieved in a simple one-step purification process while the large flake size and high purity levels provides entry to a multitude of markets.

Epanko has an offtake agreement in place with a European graphite trader for the purchase of 10,000 tonnes of flake graphite concentrate per year, over a 5 plus 5 year period.

The company is also closing in on securing sole graphite rights for the historic Merelani graphite mine fromRichland Resources and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tanzanite One.

Merelani represents the largest historical production of graphite in East Africa, with only a small part of the deposit mined prior to closure.

 

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