JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Australia-based Syrah Resources has produced its first saleable flake graphite from the Balama project, in Mozambique, and is now targeting production of 160 000 t to 180 000 t next year.
The first bagged saleable flake graphite production was produced within an expected grade range of more than 95% fixed carbon and follows the intermediate concentrate produced in late October.
The first shipment of flake product is set to depart the Nacala port in the “coming weeks”, with first cash receipts expected in early 2018, MD and CEO Shaun Verner reported on Friday.
Syrah has essentially completed all construction work at the $205-million project and has now moved into operations. Remaining commissioning activities will focus on the fines circuit and further optimisation works.
The Balama operation is expected to produce an average of 365 000 t/y of graphite concentrate during its first ten years of production, to deliver free cash flow of $160-million a year. The mine’s production will be sold to traditional industrial graphite markets and emerging technology markets.
Syrah is developing a downstream battery anode material plant in Louisiana.
Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter
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