InVert Graphite Reports Maiden 32.2Mt Inferred Resource at Kumba Deposit

Kumba Deposit Delivers Solid Inferred Graphite Resource

InVert Graphite Limited (ASX:IVG) has announced a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for its Kumba Deposit, part of the Morogoro Graphite Project in Tanzania. The resource totals 32.2 million tonnes at 8.0% Total Graphitic Carbon (TGC), equating to 2.56 million tonnes of contained graphite. The entire resource is classified as Inferred under the JORC Code (2012), reflecting early-stage confidence pending further drilling.

Crucially, 97% of the resource sits within 75 metres of surface, which bodes well for open pit mining methods. The deposit remains open at depth, indicating potential for expansion beyond the current footprint. This maiden resource was achieved within 14 months of the company’s relisting on the ASX and less than a year after commencing its maiden drilling program, underscoring operational efficiency and cost control.

Drilling and Metallurgical Testing to Advance Development

InVert plans to resume drilling in September, targeting upgrades in resource classification from Inferred to Indicated or Measured, which would enhance project valuation and financing prospects. Concurrently, the company intends to collect samples for metallurgical testwork to refine processing parameters and product quality.

Initial metallurgical testwork has been promising, with concentrate grades exceeding 98% purity and graphite recoveries above 95%, achieved through standard grind and flotation methods. These results suggest the potential for producing high-quality battery-grade graphite with relatively simple processing flowsheets.

Geological Context and Resource Modelling

The Kumba Deposit lies within the Paleoproterozoic Usagaran Belt, characterized by graphitic schists and gneisses dipping moderately to the northeast. Drilling has confirmed broad zones of mineralisation extending over a strike length of approximately 1.25 kilometres, with thicknesses ranging from 3 to 50 metres and down-dip extents beyond 200 metres.

The resource estimate was compiled using robust geostatistical methods, including Ordinary Kriging, with a 4% TGC cut-off grade applied based on comparable Tanzanian graphite projects. Density measurements averaged 2.8 tonnes per cubic metre, derived from diamond core samples. The geological model is considered globally robust, though the Inferred classification reflects the need for closer drill spacing and further validation.

Strategic Integration with Processing Technology

The Kumba resource forms a cornerstone of InVert’s vertically integrated graphite strategy, which recently saw the company announce the acquisition of RapidGraphite Pty Ltd and its proprietary RapidPulse™ technology. This innovative processing method promises rapid, acid-free conversion of graphite feedstock to battery-grade material, potentially revolutionising downstream processing and enhancing product quality and sustainability.

By combining upstream resource development at Morogoro with cutting-edge processing technology, InVert aims to deliver a complete pit-to-market supply chain, addressing the growing global demand for advanced battery materials. This integration positions the company to capture value across the graphite value chain, beyond raw material extraction.