Flake graphite producer Tirupati Graphite has commissioned a 3 000 t/y plant at its Sahamamy project, in Madagascar, which is expected to eventually produce 21 000 t/y of flake graphite.
This is the first of six planned flake graphite production plant modules that will be built by the company in the country.
A second 18 000 t/y module is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2020.
Meanwhile, at the company's Vatomina graphite project, also in Madagascar, construction is under way on the first 6 000 t/y production module, which will be commissioned during the second quarter of this year.
A further three 18 000 t/y modules will be built at Vatomina.
Tirupati is planning to eventually produce about 81 000 t/y of graphite at the two projects, with production set to continue for more than 15 years.
The UK-based company also has operations in India.