Global Li-Ion secures processing plant near Ambato Arana Graphite mine.

Rhea-AI Summary

Global Li-Ion Graphite Corp. (CSE: LION, OTCQB: GBBGF) has secured a processing plant near its Ambato Arana Graphite mine. The facility includes grinding, flotation, filtering, and drying sections, with historical production achieving 94% C graphite concentrate. Planned upgrades aim to improve concentration to 98% C with initial output of 5,000 tonnes/year, scaling to 15,000 tonnes/year alongside increased ore production.

The acquisition price will be determined by a third party. This development gains strategic importance as the US International Trade Commission has voted for 920% tariffs on Chinese graphite products, while the USGS reports zero US natural graphite production in 2024.

Positive

• Acquisition of existing processing plant reduces startup time and infrastructure costs
• Planned upgrade from 94% C to 98% C graphite concentration improves product quality
• Production capacity expansion planned from 5,000 to 15,000 tonnes/year
• Strategic advantage from 920% US tariffs on Chinese graphite products

Negative

• Acquisition price not yet determined, creating financial uncertainty
• Plant requires upgrades to meet desired specifications
• Production capacity expansion dependent on increased ore production

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Li-Ion Graphite Corp. (“Global Li-Ion” or, the “Company”) (CSE: LION, OTCQB: GBBGF, F: 0TD) is pleased to announce it has secured the processing plant that processed the ore produced from the Ambato Arana area before its acquisition by Lion, with the acquisition price to be determined by a third party. The plant consists of grinding, flotation, filtering and drying sections. Historically the plant produced a graphite concentrate assaying in the region of 94% C, with planned upgrades this is to be improved to 98% C and an output level of 5,000 tonnes/year to be further increased to 15,000 tonnes/year, in step with increased ore production. 

Chairman Jason Walsh commented “This was an important step in putting us in a better position to restart production of the Ambato Arana Graphite project. With the US international trade commission voting in favour of 920% tariffs on all Chinese Graphite products, non-Chinese Graphite becomes ever more valuable and important to Global electrification And the USA is making no contribution with the USGS reporting zero USA production of natural Graphite in 2024.” (Bloomberg News)

About Ambato-Arana Graphite Mine, Madagascar

The 3 forty-year renewable mining exploitation licenses that comprise the Project total 4,375 hectares (10,811 acres) are located in the vicinity of Andasibe in Toamasina Province in Madagascar, 20 km to the southwest of Sheritt’s large-scale nickel/cobalt laterite open pit mine at Ambatovy and 15 km northeast of the town of Moramanga from which national highway RN2 connects with capital city Antananarivo (114 km) and Madagascar’s main port of Toamasina (Tamatave) (240 km). Graphite was produced on the licenses, at a modest rate constrained by the technology employed on the licenses at that time, for roughly a century from 1910.  Production was suspended by the previous owners due to a slump at the time in Global Graphite markets and with the deposits only partially mined. The deposits are now ready for larger scale exploitation with modern production techniques. They lie within the graphitic horizons of the highly prospective Manampotsy Formation and are associated with topographic highs that are exploited via free digging of lateritic ore and open pit mining, providing a lower cost exploitation without need for blasting. The graphite mineralization on the Project appears within well-defined north-south belts with interbedded graphite-rich friable layers. The geological layers of interest have continuity of several kilometres and exhibit a shallow dip angle. Sample data indicate good grade (up to 10% carbon content with some samples up to nearly 14%) and large flake (jumbo size) consistent with other nearby mines e.g. Gallois (Elate Graphite), Sahamamy & Vatomina (Tirupati Graphite) and DNI Metals’ Vohitsara (DNI Metals).

Further information about Global Li-Ion is available under its profile on the SEDAR website, www.sedar.com, on the CSE website, www.thecse.com, and the Company’s website, www.globalli-iongraphite.com.

For Further information about the Company, please contact:
Jason Walsh
Global Li-Ion Graphite Corp.
Telephone 604.608.6314
Email: info@liongraphite.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Forward-Looking Information:

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “intend”, “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks discussed in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

 

FAQ

What processing capacity is planned for GBBGF's Ambato Arana graphite plant?

Initial capacity of 5,000 tonnes/year, with plans to increase to 15,000 tonnes/year alongside ore production growth.

What is the current graphite concentration capability of GBBGF's newly acquired plant?

The plant historically produced graphite concentrate at 94% C, with planned upgrades to achieve 98% C.

How does the 920% US tariff on Chinese graphite affect GBBGF's market position?

The tariff creates a significant competitive advantage for non-Chinese producers like GBBGF in the US market.

What processing capabilities does GBBGF's newly acquired Ambato Arana plant include?

The plant includes grinding, flotation, filtering, and drying sections for graphite processing.