Abasca Announces Positive Preliminary Economic Assessment For The Loki Flake Grap 1209134
Original announcement by accesswire on
- Company
- Abasca Resources Inc.
- Ticker
- ABA
- Exchange
- Unavailable
- Region
- Saskatchewan, Canada
- Primary commodity
- Graphite
- Secondary commodities
- None reported
- Document categories
- Other, Resource update, Metallurgy
- Extracted
- 2026-08-19 13:40:58 UTC
Analysis by Minestarters Atlas
Minestarters Atlas analysis
Summary
Abasca Resources Inc. announced positive results from a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Loki Flake Graphite Deposit, projecting an after-tax Net Present Value (NPV) of US$130 million and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 16.7%. The PEA outlines a 19-year mine life with an average annual production of 66,500 tonnes of graphite concentrate at 95% Cg grade, based on an updated Mineral Resource Estimate including 6.99 Mt Indicated at 8.27% Cg and 15.83 Mt Inferred at 6.93% Cg. Preliminary metallurgical test work demonstrated high graphite recovery of 92.3% using conventional flotation.
Reasoning: Abasca's positive PEA for the Loki Flake Graphite Deposit outlines strong economic viability with a significant after-tax NPV and IRR, supported by an updated resource estimate and high metallurgical recoveries, positioning the project for advancement towards a Feasibility Study.
Positive factors
- The Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) demonstrates positive economics with an after-tax NPV of US$130 million and an IRR of 16.7%.
- The project has a long mine life of 19 years with significant annual graphite production.
- The updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) provides a robust foundation for the PEA, including 6.99 Mt Indicated at 8.27% Cg and 15.83 Mt Inferred at 6.93% Cg.
- Metallurgical test work indicates high graphite recovery of 92.3% to a 95% Cg concentrate using conventional flotation.
- The project benefits from existing infrastructure, including road access and proximity to the provincial power grid.
Negative factors
- The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred Mineral Resources, which are considered too speculative for economic considerations as mineral reserves.
- The metallurgical test work is described as 'preliminary' and conducted at SGS Lakefield, implying bench-scale, which carries less certainty than pilot-scale studies.
Low confidence — this extraction should be reviewed alongside the original source.
Facts used in scoring: 4
Classification and evidence
PEA-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study.
Why it applies: The document is a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the Loki Flake Graphite Deposit.
Evidence · text
“Abasca Announces Positive Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Loki Flake Graphite Deposit”
NI 43-101 Compliantpositive
Resource estimate prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 (Canada) — high reporting standard.
Why it applies: The PEA and the underlying Mineral Resource Estimate were prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101.
Evidence · text
“The PEA was prepared by Tetra Tech Canada Inc. ("Tetra Tech") in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").”
QP/CP Signedpositive
Qualified Person (QP) or Competent Person (CP) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association (e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo) with relevant experience.
Why it applies: Multiple Qualified Persons (QPs) are named and have reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in the news release and PEA.
Evidence · text
“The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Brian McEwan, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101”
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: The document refers to an 'updated Mineral Resource Estimate' with a new effective date, replacing a previous estimate.
Evidence · text
“On July 14, 2026, Abasca announced an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (the "MRE") for the Loki Flake Graphite Deposit.”
Inferred Resourcenegative
Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone.
Why it applies: The Mineral Resource Statement includes a significant portion classified as Inferred.
Evidence · table
“Inferred”
Context: 15.83
Cut-off Disclosedpositive
Cut-off grade used for resource reporting is clearly stated, enabling like-for-like comparison.
Why it applies: The cut-off grade for the resource estimate is clearly stated as 2.30% Cg.
Evidence · table
“2.30”
Context: Indicated
High Recoverypositive
Recovery at or above the exceptional band for the commodity and processing route.
Why it applies: The reported graphite recovery of 92.3% is strong for a conventional flotation circuit.
Evidence · table
“92.3”
Context: Graphite Recovery to Concentrate
Bench Scale Onlynegative
Only preliminary bench tests completed — no locked-cycle or pilot work.
Why it applies: The metallurgical work is described as a 'preliminary test program' and 'flotation testing' conducted by SGS Lakefield, implying bench-scale rather than pilot-scale.
Evidence · text
“A preliminary test program for recovering the graphite from the Abasca deposit was conducted by SGS Lakefield during 2025 and 2026. The test program included chemical characterization, mineralogical analyses, grindability testing, and flotation testing”
Mill Routeneutral
Processing via mill or concentrator (CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation).
Why it applies: The processing flowsheet is based on a 'conventional flotation circuit'.
Evidence · text
“The flowsheet uses separate flotation with staged regrinding for coarse and fine fractions respectively.”
Extracted facts
Stored fact records: 0. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record.
No stored fact records are available for this extraction.
How Atlas produces this analysis
Minestarters Atlas uses automated extraction to summarize mining announcements, identify reported measurements, and classify supporting evidence. Sentiment reflects the extracted narrative and classification rules; it is an interpretation, not a reported measurement. Evidence quotes and context are provided where available. Missing data, low-confidence results, and review flags indicate limitations. Check the original publisher announcement before relying on an interpretation.