RE:RE:RE:Great Lakes should give up on Matheson There are matching press releases (GLK and DNI) where GLK has ordered flake graphite from DNI (Brazilian National Graphite). They add up to 140 tonnes which is exactly the amount of material in the plant now. When I was in the plant in June there was about 40 tonnes from the previous summer. They announced a purchase of 100 more tonnes from DNI and apparently this was delivered this fall to the plant. None of this has been micronized.
What I am interested in is the 400-600 tonnes of graphite GLK has sold and delivered to customers. Gorman in his recent talks is now discussing their success in the synthetic market (see links in this forum). This could not be from DNI as they have never ordered anywhere close to this amount of any type of graphite. This material is being micronized and refined elsewhere without Matheson. GLK should be applauded for developing this synthetic graphite market.
The margin I am talking about is the amount a milling company like Custom Processing Services would hope to make custom milling material. Whether graphite, vermiculite, or soy beans these companies make a maximum of $200 per ton. What this means is this ($200 per tonne) is the maximum savings GLK may enjoy by renting or owning the Matheson plant as opposed to having it custom milled elsewhere.
Finally, I did have a previous account where I posted the hydro lines were not connected and the plant had no power (very unpopular observation), when many of you were discussing the plant as if it was commissioned. Due to the personal messages received I cancelled the account. However, GLK announced the plant had power many months after my posts. As for my intentions, if GLK is truly selling the amount of synthetic their press releases suggest, and they lose the expenses of this plant, then I am a buyer of GLK.