Name and Location
Mahenge graphite project, Tanzania.

Client
Black Rock Mining.

Project Description
The Mahenge project has a global resource of 131.1-million tonnes grading 7.9% total graphitic content (TGC), including 37.6-million tonnes grading 10.2% TGC or 16.6-million tonnes grading 11.1% TGC, making it the largest and highest-grade in Tanzania or the fourth-largest globally. Of the resource tonnes, 40% are in the indicated resources category.

An independent scoping study has returned robust conceptual economics for a 52 000 t/y graphite concentrate mining operation over a 25-year mine life.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a net present value of $285.7-million and an internal rate of return of 62%, with a payback of two years.

Value
Preproduction capital expenditure is estimated at $57.32-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Following the receipt of positive results from the scoping study, Black Rock has commissioned a prefeasibility study on the project. This is expected to take four to five months to complete. More detailed metallurgical testwork to continue optimising the process flowsheet and a final drill programme has started in April to upgrade the current 131.1-million tonne mineral resource and provide additional metallurgical samples.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
BatteryLimits (scoping study).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Black Rock Mining, tel +61 8 9320 7550 or email info@blackrockmining.com.au.
BatteryLimits, tel +61 8 9380 9277 or email info@batterylimits.technology.