Name of the Project
Lindi Jumbo graphite project.

Location
South-east Tanzania.

Project Owner/s
Walkabout Resources.

Project Description
The Lindi Jumbo project has mineral ore reserves of 5.15-million tonnes grading 17.9% total graphitic carbon for 987 000 t of con­tained graphite.

The mine life has increased from 20 years in the 2017 definitive feasibility study (DFS) to 24 years in the enhanced DFS to produce 40 000 t/y of graphite.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The pretax net present value has increased from $302-million, at a 10% discount rate, in the 2017 DFS, to $335-million in the enhanced DFS. The project’s pretax internal rate of return is estimated at 142% in the enhanced DFS, from 108% in the 2017 DFS. The payback period is less than two years.

Capital Expenditure
Preproduction capital costs have decreased from $29.7-million in the 2017 DFS to $27.8-million in the enhanced DFS.

Planned Start/End Date
The construction schedule has not been modified in the enhanced DFS, as commissioning can be achieved 9 to 12 months after project-start funding has been received.

Latest Developments
Ore mining has started at the Lindi Jumbo graphite mine.

Walkabout Resources reported on July 8 that the first production blast had been successfully completed at the end of June, and mining of the pit was under way. The ore will be stockpiled for use in the commissioning of the processing plant.

Construction of the tailings storage facility is nearing completion, while civil works at the processing plant are 83% complete.

The project will be connected to grid power through two lines through an agreement with the Tanzanian Electrtical Supply Company. The installation of a 33 kV powerline is now complete and reaches to the project site. Once the transformer has been installed, grid power will be available to support the completion of construction activities.

The installation of a 4.5 MW powerline is also progressing, and on completion, the line will supply continuous power to the entire operation once commissioning starts.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
TNR (bulk earthworks civil engineering works contract); Yantai Jinpeng Mining Machinery (engineering, procurement and construction, or EPC); and Axis Group International (EPC oversight).

Contact Details for Project Information
Walkabout Resources, tel +61 8 6298 7500 or email admin@wkt.com.au.