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Syrah Resources to build solar

battery plant at Mozambique

graphite mine

MOZAMBIQUE ASX-LISTED Syrah Resources, an Australian Syrah is also developing a facility in Loui-
industrial minerals company, has taken a final siana, in the United States, for processing the
investment decision (FID) to build an 11.25MW graphite into active anode material for use in
solar battery plant to power its graphite mine in electric car batteries. In December, the company
northern Mozambique. signed a binding agreement to supply active
According to a report by Mozambique’s anode material to the car manufacturer Tesla,
national news agency AIM, the project will be AIM reveals.
implemented by Solar Century Africa of Britain Some of the mine’s production is shipped
with CrossBoundary Energy, from that country from Nacala, a port in northern Mozambique to
as well, providing the funding. China which has an overwhelming dominance
Balama Mine in Mozambique’s Cabo Del- in the production of active anode material used
gado Province is running on a 15.4MW diesel in lithium-ion batteries for electric cars.
generator, which is costly and also polluting, “The solar battery system,” said CrossBound-
hence Syrah’s decision to invest in a more cost-ef- ary, “will be delivered under a build-own-oper-
fective and cleaner solar system. ate-transfer arrangement, comprising a 10-year
“Currently, the mine is powered by a diesel operating lease and an operating and mainte-
generator and the installation of the solar farm nance contract with a Mozambique incorpo-
will cut diesel consumption by 35%,” AIM rated project company to be wholly owned by
reports, “According to Syrah, the project will CrossBoundary Energy.”
‘generate an attractive return on capital’ given The proposed solar battery system will sup-
the low upfront capital costs and the savings on ply about 35% of Balama’s site power require-
diesel. In addition, the solar plant will reduce the ments, yielding a reduction in diesel consumed
amount of carbon dioxide produced in the min- for power generation, according to the financier.
ing process by 12.5%.” During peak daylight times, the solar battery
The solar battery plant at Syrah’s flagship is plant will be able to supply up to 100% of Bal-
expected to be operational by March 2023. No ama’s power requirements, taking advantage of
financial details of the deal were released. the high solar irradiation potential of the site
Syrah’s open pit mine covers 106 square kilo- location.
metres and reportedly holds the largest graphite Apart from Syrah’s Balama, another major
reserves ever discovered globally. According to graphite mine in the same region is Ancuabe,
the company, the mine has an estimated lifespan which is owned by Triton Minerals, also listed
of over 50 years and yields high-reserve grade of on Australia’s ASX.™
graphite.

P10 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 16 21•April•2022