American Manganese Commences Development of Superior Lithium Ion Battery Materials

American Manganese Inc. has retained Kemetco Research Inc. of Richmond, BC to undertake research in the production of an improved lithium manganese dioxide. 

Manganese dioxide is produced electrolytically (EMD, Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide) or chemically (CMD, Chemical Manganese Dioxide).  The addition of lithium to manganese dioxide forms material used in high tech rechargeable lithium ion batteries.  There are numerous high growth potential applications for advanced lithium ion batteries, including hybrid or full electric vehicles.  The challenge is to produce the material that is free from any potential impurities. 

While the company’s main product is electrolytic manganese metal (EMM), the hydrometallurgical process developed by Kemetco provides an opportunity for the production of ultra-high purity manganese dioxide for use in lithium ion batteries.  The Kemetco process avoids traditional steps (grinding of the resource followed by roasting) that are known to introduce impurities to battery grade lithium ion battery material. 

Successful research will add a secondary source of revenue to the Company, which production can be integrated as an adjunct to the Kemetco hydrometallurgical process. 
This project will be initiated March 9, 2012.  In the first 3 months, the project will focus on the production of high-purity EMD and CMD from American Manganese’s Artillery Peak resource.  Research on lithiated materials will take place in months 3 to 6.  Months 6 to 12 will focus on producing test batteries and optimizing the final products. 

Posted March 7th, 2012

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