Elcora Advanced Materials Corp. has begun a search for an advanced zinc mining project to enhance both its mining and energy storage solutions, adding additional markets beyond its graphite-based lithium-ion technologies.

Elcora’s combination of mining experience and battery testing capabilities means that it is not limited to graphite, graphene and Li-ion battery applications. Many applications remain where Li-ion is not the ideal energy storage solution.

Specifically, problems such as thermal runaway and sensitivity to operating temperature have been mitigated but not eliminated in Li-ion cell architectures. Further, the cost and relative rarity of elements such as cobalt (used in Li-ion cathodes) may represent constraints on long-term and widespread adoption. Li-ion battery chemistries therefore represent a compromise between power capabilities, energy density, safety, material cost and availability.

In view of this, Elcora is expanding in scope to explore materials and applications where graphite-based Li-ion batteries remain insufficient or unappealing. In particular, zinc-based cell chemistries may hold the promise to resolve persistent problems associated with Li-ion batteries, the company says. To this end, Elcora is aggressively pursuing the acquisition of an advanced-stage zinc mining project.

The recent addition of our high-grade Tanzania graphite project positions us nicely to deliver graphite products to end users. We have spent the last couple of years researching and developing through the help of Federal grants and strategic relationships, the processing methods and specifics for graphite anode powder and graphene conductivity (ie. our joint venture with Solargise Canada Inc.) ideally suited for energy markets. Our sales team is in discussion with various end users seeking supply agreements.

As part of our expanding goal to become a serious player in the energy space, we do not want to ignore the importance of zinc in energy storage. We want to ensure that Elcora is well-positioned to contribute in the development of increasingly relevant energy storage solutions and materials, beyond and in addition to graphite-based li-ion technologies.

—Troy Grant, CEO