President of Mozambique launches a graphite processing facility owned by China
Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo launched a 200,000 metric ton per year graphite processing factory at a Chinese-owned mine on Friday, as the south-east African country doubles output of the battery mineral.
The United States Geological Survey estimates that 1.6 million metric tons of graphite are mined worldwide each year. Mozambique is one of the top producers of this mineral, which is used in batteries for electric cars and cell phones and is an excellent heat and electrical conductor.
The world’s greatest reserves of graphite are found in China, which also controls the majority of its mining and processing.
“Today we are entering the world’s industrial map,” Chapo stated, adding: “We are no longer a supplier of raw materials, but a producer, processor, and exporter of materials.” Mozambique, where French oil giant TotalEnergies opens a new tab, is resuming construction of a $20 billion liquefied natural gas project, and is working to maximize its natural resources.
Chinese business DH Mining, which started development on the graphite mine in Nipepe in 2014, said it had invested $200 million on mining and processing infrastructure.
DH Mining head Sang Shong said the enterprise, in Mozambique’s northern region of Niassa, now employs 890 workers and this is projected to expand to 2,000 in its second phase.
In the nearby province of Cabo Delgado, graphite mining operations are carried out by Australia’s Syrah Resources and a Dutch metals company. Another Australian business, Triton Minerals, opens new tab is also pushing its Ancuabe project in Cabo Delgado.
