GreenRoc Strategic Materials has completed a new drilling campaign at its Amitsoq graphite project in Greenland, extending identified mineralisation by up to 150 metres while advancing a purification pilot facility in Denmark. The parallel developments are intended to support the transition towards a pre-feasibility study and establish the technical basis for producing battery-grade graphite for European markets.
The London-listed company reported on October 27 that its Phase III drilling programme had generated geological, geotechnical and hydrogeological data required for the next development stage. A pre-feasibility study is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027. Meanwhile, major components of the purification equipment have arrived at GreenRoc’s pilot facility in Hørsholm, Denmark, with commissioning planned for January 2027, subject to an internal safety audit.
Drilling extends graphite mineralisation
The Phase III programme comprised eight diamond drill holes from three platforms, compared with ten holes originally planned. Results confirmed significant graphite-bearing intersections and extended the known mineralised zone approximately 100–150 metres north-northwest of previously explored areas.
The thickest estimated true intersections were recorded in holes AM_DD_041, at 23.70 metres, and AM_DD_043, at 23.66 metres. The results indicate continuity of substantial graphite-bearing horizons beyond the existing resource-drilling area. Further geological assessment will determine whether the newly identified mineralisation can contribute to future mine planning.
Amitsoq’s existing JORC-compliant mineral resource stands at 23.05 million tonnes grading 20.41% graphite, across Measured, Indicated and Inferred categories. The estimate was published in January 2023.
The northern extension has not yet been incorporated into an updated resource estimate. Its contribution will depend on laboratory assay results and independent assessment by a competent person. The drilling programme also aims to improve confidence in material currently classified as Inferred, supporting the preparation of a more detailed mine plan.
Existing development parameters and mine planning
The project’s 2023 preliminary economic assessment envisaged extracting 8.26 million tonnes of graphite ore from the Lower Graphite Layer at an average grade of 21.3% graphite. The development concept was based on an initial 22-year operating period. The latest drilling results could provide additional geological information for evaluating the deposit and refining future extraction plans.
Further resource definition will be important in establishing recoverable volumes, mine design, operating expenditure and infrastructure requirements. The ability to produce consistent graphite concentrate meeting downstream processing specifications will also influence the project’s commercial assessment. GreenRoc is reviewing contractor proposals for the planned pre-feasibility study, which will examine the technical and economic requirements of developing the mine.
Danish pilot prepares for graphite purification
GreenRoc is developing downstream processing capabilities to convert Amitsoq graphite concentrate into higher-value material suitable for lithium-ion battery anodes. The company has received major components of the purification line at its Hørsholm pilot facility, including reactor tanks, pumps, filtration equipment, ovens and rinsing systems. Installation preparations are under way ahead of the planned January 2027 commissioning.
A separate water purification system has already been installed to provide the high-purity process water required for operations. In parallel, GreenRoc is processing a 20-tonne bulk sample from Amitsoq through the Geological Survey of Finland’s GTK facilities, where the material is intended to be converted into graphite concentrate.
Following commissioning of the Danish purification equipment, the concentrate is expected to provide feedstock for producing spherical purified graphite and initiating customer qualification activities during 2027.
Customer qualification and European battery supply chains
The production of spherical purified graphite will allow GreenRoc to begin assessing the material against potential customers’ technical requirements. Battery manufacturers require evidence covering particle characteristics, purity, electrochemical performance and production consistency before accepting graphite for industrial supply agreements.
Successful pilot commissioning would therefore provide technical information for further commercial discussions, although it would not itself establish commercial-scale production or guarantee customer contracts.
The development is taking place as the European Union seeks to diversify critical-mineral supply chains and reduce dependence on imported processing capacity. Graphite is a key input for lithium-ion battery anodes used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. China maintains a dominant position in graphite processing and anode manufacturing, while European supply chains remain exposed to concentrated sources of refined and battery-grade material.
The EU Critical Raw Materials Act establishes 2030 benchmarks of at least 10% of annual strategic raw-material consumption from domestic extraction, 40% from processing and 25% from recycling. It also sets limits on dependence on individual external suppliers. These targets apply at EU level rather than representing requirements imposed on individual mining projects.
Greenland’s graphite resources combined with Denmark’s industrial infrastructure offer a potential route for supplying European manufacturers. However, the commercial competitiveness of the proposed chain will depend on mining, transportation, concentration, purification and anode-material production costs.
Further drilling planned for 2027
GreenRoc is planning another drilling campaign for spring or summer 2027, with equipment already stored in Greenland to reduce future mobilisation expenditure.
The additional work will complement the ongoing resource assessment and the planned pre-feasibility study, providing further information for evaluating the deposit’s development potential. The company is pursuing two parallel development activities: improving geological confidence in the Greenland resource and demonstrating downstream processing performance in Denmark.
The pre-feasibility study, updated resource modelling, laboratory assays and pilot-plant results will be important inputs for determining the project’s technical and financial requirements. Customer qualification will also be necessary before potential battery-grade graphite production can be translated into commercial supply arrangements.
