Ontario Graphite Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Coscia as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Michael assumed this position effective September 4, 2012.
Michael brings 20 years of industrial minerals marketing experience, most recently with SGL Carbon Technic. He has also worked with Cabot Corporation, H.C. Starck and Exxon Chemical Corporation.
"As we approach our mine's production phase, we're pleased to have Michael on board to ensure our customers are taken care of," said Tom Myatt, President and CFO of Ontario Graphite. "The demand for graphite is growing, and Ontario Graphite is well-positioned with the largest confirmed graphite mineral resource in North America. Michael is the right person to make sure we're meeting those demands and the needs of our customers."
As Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Michael will have overall responsibility for the contracting and distribution of natural flake graphite from Ontario Graphite's Kearney graphite mine. Michael's background in chemical engineering and material sciences allows him to work closely with customers on technical issues relating to their flake graphite requirements.
Michael's office is located in Carlisle, Massachusetts. He has a Masters of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Northeastern University.
The Kearney Mine was last operated in 1994 and will take advantage of approximately $60 million of existing infrastructure and mineral resources to support a mine life of more than 30 years. When reactivated, it is estimated the Kearney Mine will process approximately one million tonnes of ore per year while producing 20,000 tonnes of natural, large flake, high carbon graphite concentrate.
Previously associated with lead pencils and golf clubs, graphite is a key mineral for refractory and lubricant applications. In addition, graphite is now a key component of new energy applications, including lithium-ion batteries used in electric and hybrid electric cars. A promising new mineral investment, the price of high-quality flake graphite has risen from a low of $600 per tonne in the 1990s to more than $2,000 per tonne in 2012, and shows continued high growth rate potential.
About Ontario Graphite Limited
Ontario Graphite Ltd. is a privately owned Canadian mining company committed to the responsible re-commissioning and operation of the Kearney Mine, the largest confirmed graphite mineral resource in North America and one of the largest individual deposits outside China and North Korea. The Kearney Mine is located in Kearney, Ontario, Canada (approximately 300 km north of Toronto). To learn more about Ontario Graphite and the Kearney Mine, please visit www.ontariographite.com.
Contacts: Cynthia Innes Edelman 416-849-1998
