development of new technologies. With the advancement of battery storage, mobile battery systems and alternative energy infrastructure, it is estimated that 20 new graphite flake mines will be required to keep up with demand by the year 2020.

As there are currently no graphite mines producing in North America, Great Lakes Graphite has the ability to become one of the first producers to supply a growing regional customer base that requires high quality flake graphite, where pricing and demand continue to rise. The company, through strategic acquisitions and capable management will become a leader in the industrial minerals marketplace.

Our approach is designed to facilitate the sales and marketing of graphite products to a base of regional customers. The company is targeting applications requiring high purity, high value graphite products. Our mineral extraction and processing operations at our high quality North American flake graphite assets will supply the raw material to our purification operations that will produce the graphite products we deliver to our customers.

A key differentiator is apparent in our production strategy that incorporates a small footprint, low CAPEX approach, guided by Lean Mining principles. We believe significant advantages flow from combining modular, scalable technology with production best practices to generate high margins in multiple, moderate tonnage operations. From environmental impact to operating costs, small footprint offers obvious benefits, while enabling the shortest path to production.