I too will take real testing of a large enough sample groups to ascertain the resource that may meet my needs.
Lets say I work for a large R&D and have been working on a project for 6 years. Government bodies and are involved in the project given the graphite purity we seek.
In the lab, we did simulations and math models to develop a base line of what material characteristics we need. So with our table, matrix or array mapped out we commenced testing. So we got all these small samples from a kazillion graphite companies, both producing or not. Started testing with 20 mesh @ 99.9% purity, then 99.95, 99.99 etc. Now we test 40 mesh through our defined purity range etc. So, our trials showed that 80 mesh from company ABC worked ok but not ideal. Further research and processing improved the results making it 'workable'. So we seek a few more samples to test to ensure the samples would be uniform in characteristics. We notice some variance and enquire about the samples So we ran into uncertainty at this point. Communications with senior science folks at ABC reveal that the samples are all from the same small area but is not representative of the resource as yet. The complex process was only executed on a very small lab scale of 25 Kg. So we enquired about their testing and asked for the GDMS data set. Apparently, no such test was done. So we ask for a large enough sample to test for ourselves. After the extensive processing, grind, re-grind etc we could not get consistent characteristics. So this is not going to work out
We also found that company XYZ had the best results by a wide margin across a wider range of crystal size but also demonstrated superior results in this particular application as a result of the lack of impurities. We asked for more sample and they provided a larger sample set and all the data we required. Impressive.
So a few months later and design review, engineering, product bring up, marketing, costing etc is kicked into high gear. Of course we also have to fulfill our supply need of near 1800 tonnes per year of this consistent graphite characteristics. Well they have no 43-101 resource, but tell us that a PEA and 43-101 are due out by the end of quarter 1. Ok, that don't help us now. We arrange a meeting with CEO and others and are told they have more than enough stock piled to furnish our needs for 16 months. Encouraged, we ask about future years supply of the same grade/ characteristics of material. They are confident they can supply us and showed us a rather elaborate rendition of the property and vein systems including dimensions. They continued to put forward they will grow with us as a key supplier of this rare graphite. We leave and have the board meetings, debates/ discussion, risk analysis etc and decide to explore this XYZ supply further. We decide to negotiate a contract/ terms / delivery penalties etc and other special conditions to get this product flowing to us and secure what we knew we needed . Lets make a deal. What do we have to do to get this rolling?
Of course the above is just a pretend scenario but illustrates a few things. Food for thought when you have something rare that someone needs. |
