Premium Feedstock Project to Supply Growing High Purity Alumina (HPA) Market for Batteries, Semiconductors, and Advanced Materials - DEC 15 2022

A new high-purity kaolin mine has set to be developed in Deepstep, Georgia, marking a strategic addition to the supply chain for advanced materials. The project is the result of a partnership between local developer CPRM and Adoette Minerals.

The mine will produce premium-grade, high-purity kaolin specifically suited as a high-quality feedstock material for High Purity Alumina (HPA) production. This exceptional kaolin offers low impurity levels and consistent chemistry ideal for the demanding processing requirements of HPA used in lithium-ion battery separators, LED lighting, sapphire glass, semiconductors, and other high-tech applications.

Located in Washington County within Georgia’s established kaolin district, the operation employs modern extraction and processing technology with a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and land reclamation. The partnership prioritizes sustainable practices to reliably supply the growing global demand for HPA precursor materials.

“This partnership with Adoette Minerals positions us to deliver a reliable domestic source of high-purity kaolin feedstock for the HPA industry from Deepstep,” said CPRM founder John Mason. “We are excited to support the expansion of advanced materials manufacturing while investing in responsible development and local economic growth.”

Initial Drilling is underway, with full commercial shipments expected later part of 2026.

The collaboration combines local expertise with Adoette Minerals’ focus on responsible mineral development to provide consistent, high-purity kaolin feedstock tailored for HPA production.

CPRM and Addoette Minerals today announced they have contracted Ginn Mineral Technologies, the world’s leading independent kaolin development and processing firm, to conduct drilling and comprehensive testing for the advancement of their kaolin mine development project in Deepstep, Georgia.

The engagement includes exploratory core drilling for resource definition, detailed mineralogical and physical testing of core samples, and pilot-scale process development work to optimize flowsheets and final product specifications for the deposit.

“We are thrilled to partner with Ginn Mineral Technologies on this important project,” said John Mason, Owner of CPRM, speaking on behalf of the CPRM–Addoette Minerals partnership. “As the world’s leading independent kaolin development and processing firm, GINN brings unmatched technical expertise, deep local knowledge of the Georgia kaolin belt, and proven pilot-scale capabilities right here in Sandersville. This work will efficiently de-risk and advance our Deepstep mine toward commercial production.”

Ginn Mineral Technologies operates a state-of-the-art research center and pilot plant facility in nearby Sandersville, Georgia, enabling seamless progression from field drilling and core recovery through bench-scale evaluation to large-scale process trials. Their integrated services encompass drilling programs, core testing, mineral processing R&D, and flowsheet development specifically tailored to kaolin.

“Ginn is proud to apply our specialized kaolin expertise to support CPRM and Addoette Minerals in responsibly developing this Georgia resource,” said  Ginn Mineral Technologies. “Our team looks forward to delivering high-quality drilling results and optimized processing solutions that maximize the value of the Deepstep deposit.”

The Deepstep area lies within Georgia’s world-renowned kaolin belt in Washington County, a region with more than a century of high-brightness kaolin production serving the paper, ceramics, coatings, and specialty minerals industries

Ginn Mineral Technologies (part of The Ginn Technology Group) is an American-owned company headquartered in Sandersville, Georgia. It specializes in mineral exploration, drilling, laboratory and pilot-plant testing, process engineering, and project development for kaolin and other industrial minerals. Ginn provides comprehensive, confidential R&D and commercialization support from resource evaluation through commercial flowsheet design.

Michael Ginn the founder of Ginn Mineral Technology (established 1995) and the Ginn Technology Group (1998) in Sandersville, Georgia.

A globally recognized expert in industrial minerals with decades of experience in the kaolin industry, he began his career at Nord Kaolin Company as Assistant Manager of Mining, Exploration, and Research after earning a B.S. in Geology from Georgia Southern University (1976) and M.S. degrees in Material Science & Engineering and Mineral Engineering from Georgia Tech (1980). He later held key research, development, and management roles at ECC International Americas starting in 1985.

Ginn holds numerous patents (over 20 U.S. patents plus many international) in areas such as kaolin refining/processing, superconducting magnetic separation, capillary filtration, thermal mineral processing, and mineral separation/concentration.

His work focused on innovative mineral evaluation, processing technologies, pilot plant operations, and sustainable resource recovery, establishing Ginn Mineral Technology as a leading independent firm in kaolin development and industrial minerals R&D..

CPRM and Addoette Minerals are pleased

to announce the successful completion of the first-phase drilling program at the Deepstep Kaolin

Project. The program has delineated an initial mineral resource of over 3.5 million tonnes of high-quality

kaolin within the first mine area. This kaolin has been confirmed as an exceptional feedstock for the

production of High Purity Alumina (HPA), a critical material used in advanced technologies including

lithium-ion batteries, semiconductors, and LED lighting.

This achievement represents a major milestone for the strategic partnership between CPRM and

Addoette Minerals. The drilling program was completed ahead of schedule and significantly under

budget, demonstrating operational excellence, strong project management, and the robust geological

potential of the asset. The results provide strong validation of the exploration model and position the

Deepstep Project as a cornerstone asset in the emerging North American HPA supply chain

CPRM and Abotte Minerals are pleased to announce the successful completion of the comprehensive federal wetlands delineation and study for the proposed Deepstep Kaolin Mine site.

This important environmental milestone demonstrates the companies’ continued commitment to best mining practices and the highest standards of environmental protection. By thoroughly identifying and avoiding impacts to wetlands, the joint venture is ensuring responsible development that balances resource extraction with strong environmental stewardship.

The wetlands study provides critical baseline data that will guide project design, permitting, and future operations while reinforcing the partnership’s dedication to sustainable mining in Georgia.

“This wetlands study is another key step forward in our responsible development approach,” said Todd Collins, Founder & Owner, Abotte Minerals. “CPRM and Abotte Minerals remain fully committed to best-in-class mining practices and proactive environmental protection throughout the life of the Deepstep project.”

The companies will now incorporate the study findings into the next phase of permitting and project planning.

CPRM and Adoette Minerals today announced the successful completion of mine engineering for their high-purity kaolin project in Deepstep, Georgia.

The detailed engineering phase defines the mine plan, processing flowsheet, and infrastructure for producing premium-grade kaolin feedstock optimized for High Purity Alumina (HPA) used in lithium-ion battery separators, LED lighting, sapphire glass, semiconductors, and other advanced materials applications.

“This milestone brings us another step closer to delivering a reliable domestic source of high-purity kaolin for the HPA industry,” said John Mason, Founder of CPRM. “We are proud of the engineering team’s work and remain committed to sustainable development and responsible resource extraction in Washington County.”

Initial drilling and site preparation activities are progressing, with a pilot plant production targeted for late 2026.

CPRM and Adoette Minerals are pleased to announce that the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has approved the critical mining and environmental permits for their high-purity kaolin mine in Deepstep, Washington County.

The permit approval clears the way for full development of the project, which will produce premium-grade kaolin feedstock specifically engineered for High Purity Alumina (HPA) production. This material supports high-tech applications including lithium-ion battery separators, LED lighting, sapphire glass, semiconductors, and other advanced materials.

“We are grateful to the Georgia EPD for their thorough review and approval,” said John Mason, Founder of CPRM. “This milestone reflects our strong commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible development. We look forward to creating local jobs, supporting Georgia’s economy, and delivering a reliable domestic supply of high-purity kaolin to the growing HPA market.”

The project incorporates modern extraction methods and best-practice land reclamation to ensure long-term environmental sustainability in the region. Construction and initial production activities are expected to ramp up in the coming year, with commercial shipments targeted for late 2027.