Since London-listed Tirupati Graphite acquired the Montepuez and Balama Central projects, in Mozambique, in April, the company has completed various workstreams to optimise these projects.

In a comprehensive review of the acquired assets, Tirupati has confirmed both projects are fully permitted for 158 000 t/y of flake graphite production, while the Montepuez project in particular has been found to contain 34-million tonnes of vanadium pentoxide grading 0.25%, for 86 000 t contained.

Tirupati conducted a detailed review of the Montepuez project’s definitive feasibility study, which was completed by prior owner Battery Minerals Limited (BAT).

BAT had been building a 50 000 t/y production plant at Montepuez, including a 100-person accommodation camp and tailings storage facilities.

Tirupati confirms that it can modify the process flow sheet as per the definitive feasibility study (DFS) using technology currently used by Tirupati, which can potentially reduce the graphite concentrate circuit by three stages.

Improvements can also potentially be made in the dehydration, drying and screening circuits.

The company aims to update the DFS to incorporate the process and technological improvements, as well as to take account of 600 kg of core and openpit samples that have been sent for testing.

Following some pilot trials of the technology, Tirupati aims to reduce the Montepuez project’s capital expenditure estimates for the first 50 000 t/y processing module, reduce operating costs, lower carbon emissions, reduce waste generation and generate initial samples of concentrate for market development.

Alongside these pilot trials, Tirupati will carry out an overall review of production plans, ancillary facilities and energy sources.

Moreover, Tirupati will further progress BAT’s studies for the extraction of vanadium pentoxide as a byproduct from the Montepuez tailings, as part of the pilot trials it will be conducting.

Chairperson Shishir Poddar says the pilot trials will be crucial in enhancing the economics of development plans of the Montepuez project, including reducing costs and environmental impact, as well as for business development purposes.

“As a new operator in the country, we are also committed to engaging meaningfully with local stakeholders and are beginning to have conversations with the community to understand their needs and expectations.

“Our progress in the region comes at an important time for Mozambique, as powerhouses such as the US, India and Japan seek to strengthen relationships and investment, recognising the country’s importance in the global critical minerals supply chain.

“This provides a positive operating environment for Tirupati, as we further strengthen our presence in the region and pursue our ambition of providing 8% of global flake graphite demand by 2030,” he concludes.

Tirupati’s principal projects, Sahamamy and Vatomina, are located in Madagascar, which is progressing a ramp-up process to producing 84 000 t/y of flake graphite concentrate.