Name of the Project
Bunyu graphite project.

Location
Tanzania.

Project Owner/s
Volt Resources.

Project Description
Bunyu is one of the biggest graphite deposits in the world, with a resource of 461-million tons at 4.9% total graphitic carbon for 22.6-million tons contained graphite. The project includes a proven reserve of 127-million tons at 4.4% total graphitic carbon.

The project will be developed in two stages.

An updated feasibility study on Stage 1 published in August 2023 proposes a mining and processing plant throughput rate of 400 000 t/y of ore to produce on average 24 780 t/y of graphite products over a 13.7-year mine life.

Volt intends to progress to Stage 2 to leverage the platform established by Stage 1, and Bunyu’s status as one of the biggest graphite resources globally, to dramatically scale production to 170 000 t/y and help meet the forecast global increase in demand for graphite products.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The updated PFS delivers a pretax net present value of $58.9-million and an internal rate of return of 31.5%, with a payback period of 2.9 years.

Capital Expenditure
The updated PFS has estimated a capital cost of $33.1-million, compared with the $31.8-million estimated in the 2018 PFS.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Volt Resources is actively engaging with Tanzania's Ministry of Minerals to finalise a shareholder agreement and framework agreement concerning the project.

The negotiations are part of a broader effort to establish a compliant supply chain under the US Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at bolstering the project’s alignment with global standards for sustainable battery materials production.

The Bunyu project is drawing interest, particularly after a large anode producer requested a bulk sample of 200 kg to 300 kg of graphite concentrate. This request followed the successful testing on a smaller 1 kg sample, indicating the potential of Bunyu graphite to meet industry needs.

Volt is planning the next phase of project development, including further drilling and sample extraction.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Volt Resources, tel +61 8 9486 7788 or email info@voltresources.com.