Name and Location
Balama West graphite project, Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.

Client
Syrah Resources.

Project Description
A scoping study on the Balama West project envisions the development of a 1.2-million-tonne-a-year openpit mine.

The operation will have an initial seven-year mine life and Syrah will likely be able to sell about 220 000 t of graphite in the first year of production.

The scoping study does not include any potential for vanadium credits, despite the presence of mineralisation in the region.

Value
The project will cost $91.6-million to develop.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
An update of the scoping study and a valuation of the project under the guidelines of the Valmin Code are being undertaken.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Snowden Mining Industry Consultants (scoping study), Mintek (specialist work – metallurgy), Metallicon Process Consulting (specialist work – process engineering and design), Environmental Business Strategists (specialist work – environment), MSA Group (specialist work – resource definition) and Ports of Africa (specialist work – port and transport infrastructure).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Snowden Mining Industry Consultants,tel +27 11 782 2379, fax +27 11 782 2396 or email snowden@snowden.co.za.
Mintek, tel +27 11 709 4111 or fax +27 11 793 2413.
Metallicon Process Consulting, tel +27 12 259 0792 or fax +27 86 688 3797.
Environmental Business Strategists, tel +27 11 888 6043, fax +27 86 673 3177, email info@envirobiz.co.za.
MSA Group, tel +27 11 880 4209, fax +27 11 880 2184 or email info@msagroupservices.com.
Ports of Africa, tel +27 11 772 1411.