Syrah Resources announces first production of bagged saleable flake graphite from Balama, Mozambique

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Syrah Resources announces first production of bagged saleable flake graphite from Balama, Mozambique

12:29 CAT | 24 Nov 2017

Feature image credit: Wikimedia

ASX-listed Syrah Resources has announced the first production of bagged saleable flake graphite from the Balama project in Mozambique.

“This is a significant achievement for Syrah, our subsidiary Twigg, and our host communities in Mozambique as the company moves into operations,” says Syrah Resources CEO, MD Shaun Verner.

“The development of Balama has been achieved through an extremely dedicated construction, commissioning and operations team, with great support from the local communities, investors, suppliers, government and other stakeholders.

“We look forward to reliably and consistently supplying the global graphite market and our planned Battery Anode Material operation with the highest quality natural graphite.”

“Following the intermediate concentrate produced in late October, Syrah has now successfully commissioned the final stages of the flake circuit including polishing, filtration, drying, screening and bagging.

“Flake graphite produced is within our expected grade range, in excess of 95% fixed carbon.

Remaining commissioning activities will focus on the fines circuit and further optimisation works.

We expect our first shipment of flake product from Nacala Port in the coming weeks.

First cash receipts are expected in early 2018 with production of 160 000 to 180 000 tons in 2018, following
customer qualification processes.”

Construction progress

All major project construction works are essentially complete, remaining construction activities limited
to electrical and instrumentation works, completion of construction punch list items and verification
checklists for the fines circuit
Construction of Chipembe Dam pipeline (14 km) and pump station is complete
Attrition cells are on site and civil works completed, with installation to commence after commissioning
of the fines circuit
Demobilisation of construction teams is well underway

Commissioning

Commissioning sequence was prioritised for initial production of coarse flake
Full ore commissioning of the combined crusher, primary mill, scrubber, classification, thickener and
tails disposal to the tailings storage facility is complete and optimisation work is underway
Ore commissioning of the flake circuit including flotation, polishing, drying, screening and bagging
completed with first production of saleable bagged graphite achieved
Chipembe Dam pipeline is fully commissioned
During the commissioning phase, costs of Balama production offset by any revenue received will be
capitalised on the balance sheet until commercial production is declared. Further details will be
provided as commissioning draws to completion and production ramps up

Source: Mining Review