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 could be incrementally expanded to provide additional feedstock for the company’s downstream initiatives.

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
With the completion of Phase 1 of the Molo graphite mine only weeks away, Vision Blue-backed developer NextSource is finalising its plans to build several battery anode facilities (BAFs) that will convert flake graphite into coated, spheronised and purified graphite (CSPG).

CSPG is the final form of graphite that is used as anode material, which is assembled with other components into finished lithium-ion batteries, used by automobile manufacturers for electric vehicles.

The BAFs will have modular production capacities that could be expanded in lockstep with automotive demand, and each facility would be strategically positioned to serve key markets in Asia, North America and Europe, the company has said.

NextSource has selected a location for its first BAF, but will share more details only once it has completed the capital and operating cost study in November.

The BAF will take about 12 months to complete, once a construction decision has been made.

NextSource has reported that it will complete construction activities at its Molo mine in November 2022 and that it will complete plant commissioning in December.

The construction of the Molo mine is progressing well, and NextSource is expected to provide details on the location and economics of its first downstream BAF by December.

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.