Australian mineral producer Syrah Resources has resumed large-scale graphite shipments from its 350,000 t/yr Balama mine in Mozambique ahead of schedule, following months of disruptions from protests.
It has also lifted its December 2024 force majeure on Balama shipments, the company told investors on 23 July.
Syrah is loading 10,000t of graphite flakes onto a ship at Mozambique's Nacala port. Its initial shipment will go to industrial customers outside China. Syrah plans to ship a large load of graphite to the US by the end of September. It is aiming to increase its presence in markets outside of China this year, Syrah's non-executive chariman Jim Askew told investors in May.
The company planned to restart large shipments from Balama in September-December, it said in June, after resuming production at the mine.
Syrah sold just 1,300t of natural graphite in January-March, lower by 94pc from the same period a year earlier, with the firm drawing down existing inventories.
Non-violent protestors blocked access to Balama in September 2024, over farming resettlement issues. The protests then escalated after a disputed general election the following month.
Syrah regained access to Balama in early May, after it negotiated a deal with farmers. The mine was not damaged during the protests.
