PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Graphite miner Syrah Resources on Friday told shareholders that disruptions to the container shipping market have forced the company to delay some 12 000 t of natural graphite sales from its Balama operation, in Mozambique, from late September to early October.
The company noted that natural graphite sales in the September quarter, which were already constrained by shipping availability, were expected to be approximately 29 000 t prior to the scheduling delay and were now expected to be approximately 17 000 t.
Weighted average sales price for the September quarter is expected to be higher than the June quarter.
Syrah is expecting container shipping constraints impacting its sales and operations to ease through the December quarter, with additional vessel capacity and container equipment for East Africa being added.
The company said on Friday that it continued to work closely with its shipping service providers to urgently secure increased container shipping capacity and meet strong customer orders for the December quarter.
“Syrah is experiencing strong demand and forward contracting for Balama products, with the company’s sales order book currently underpinning 45 000 t of natural graphite sales in the December quarter, with additional spot sales demand evident,” the miner said in a statement.