JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – All the key approvals for the Balama graphite project, in Mozambique, have been received, allowing ASX-listed Syrah Resources to move forward with its 380 000 t/y operation.
The Mozambique Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development this week granted Syrah the land access licence for the high-grade openpit graphite project.
“The awarding of all the key regulatory licences has been the culmination of over two years of detailed studies and proactive engagement with the Mozambican government and community,” said Syrah MD Tolga Kumova in an update to shareholders on Thursday.
The land access licence granted the titleholder a renewal right of land use for the duration of the mining concession, which was granted in December for a renewable period of 25 years.
Syrah said that project development activities were in progress to facilitate construction and the ramp-up of production, which was expected to start some 18 months after the completion of financing, preconstruction work and early engineering activities.
The company had also secured approved water and environmental licences.