Name of the Project
Molo graphite project.

Location
Tulear region, south-western Madagascar.

Project Owner/s
Canadian battery materials development company NextSource Materials.

Project Description
The project is at the full feasibility study stage, and ranks as one of the biggest-known and highest-quality flake graphite deposits in the world; it is the only project with SuperFlake graphite.

NextSource will use an all-modular build approach to build the mine.

Initial production is expected to be 17 000 t/y over the first two years of production, followed by mine expansion in Year 3.

The project also includes the construction of a hybrid solar photovoltaic, battery energy storage system and thermal energy facility.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
$24-million, plus $3-million for working capital.

Planned Start/End Date
Mine commissioning is targeted for 2022.

Latest Developments
The processing plant for the Molo graphite mine has arrived in Madagascar, cleared customs, and the modules, including two mobile cranes, are now on route to the mine site.

The company says earthworks at the mine site are complete and civil works are on schedule to be completed by the time the processing plant arrives.

It is expected to take about 45 days to re-assemble the processing plant, which was previously erected and subjected to factory acceptance testing prior to shipment. Once re-assembled, the processing plant will undergo site acceptance testing, which is the final step before mine commissioning.   
The prefabricated units for the camp accommodations and auxiliary buildings have also arrived at site and assembly of these support structures will start shortly.

“Now that the processing plant has arrived in-country, on-site activity will ramp up significantly over the next several weeks as we begin re-assembly of the processing plant and the auxiliary buildings,” president and CEO Craig Scherba has said.

Meanwhile, NextSource reports that the construction of the solar thermal hybrid energy power plant that will power Phase 1 of the Molo mine is on schedule.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Erudite Strategies (engineering, procurement and construction management contractor).

Contact Details for Project Information
NextSource Materials, tel +1416364 4911 or executive VP corporate development Brent Nykoliation, email brent@nextsourcematerials.com.