African buzz
Syrah ups Balama’s graphite production Transport groups target Mozambique
Australian company Syrah Resources’ Balama mine
in northern Mozambique produced 104 000t of
graphite in 2018 and the mine churned out 33 000t
of graphite in the fourth quarter of 2018, according
to a company statement. Mozambique’s mineral potential and current operations have lured several
large international transport groups to establish themselves in the region.
The average rate of recovery in the fourth quarter
was 70%, compared with an average rate of 53% in
the previous quarter.
Syrah signed a binding contract with China’s
Qingdao Langruite Graphite late last year and the
contract stipulates that Syrah will provide the Chinese
company with 48 000t of graphite a year. Langruite
Graphite, based in Shandong, is related to Qingdao
Guangxing Electronic Materials, with which Syrah
Resources carried out spot deals last year.
In addition, Syrah Resources announced in
November 2018 that it had signed a contract for the
sale of graphite to Chinese company Qingdao Freyr
Graphite. Syrah’s graphite is exported through the
port of Nacala in Nampula province. b
Source: Macauhub
www.africanmining.co.za
The latest company to announce its presence is the Dutch group Mammoet.
The company has organised a fleet of specialised vehicles that will be stationed
in Mocímboa da Praia, Cabo Delgado province, northern Mozambique, with
the respective crew, the company says in a statement. According to Davide
Andreani, general manager at Mammoet South and East Africa, Mammoet
has been operating for some time in Mozambique, although on the basis of
specific projects, but will now have a permanent presence.
Belgian group Sarens has also opened a branch and warehouse in Mozambique,
outside Palma, also in the province of Cabo Delgado, ahead of the start of the operation
of large natural gas deposits in two marine blocks in the Rovuma basin. The Sarens
group, like Mammoet, has operated in Mozambique only on the basis of specific
projects, but will now have a permanent presence in addition to a fleet of vehicles.
The construction of a warehouse on a plot of land of 5 600m 2 is expected
to start soon, with the group already placing 100-tonne off-road vehicles
and 120-tonne and 60-tonne off-road vehicles at the location, along with
additional equipment. The Sarens Group is headquartered in Wolvertem and
its areas of activity include the transport of heavy loads and rental of cranes as
well as the manufacture of a variety of equipment. b
Source: Macauhub
MARCH - APRIL 2019 AFRICAN MINING
13