Gratomic Inc. (TSX-V:GRAT, OTCQX:CBULF) announced that commercial commissioning has started at its Aukam graphite mine in Namibia to prepare the initial 100 tons of product for customers to include in value-added applications.
The company said that over the next four to six months, it will be calibrating the plant on a scale large enough to meet end-user specifications.
This program is the final step before commencing full operation of the facility, it noted.
Gratomic said that once the plant is wholly operational and optimized, it will focus on fine-tuning its costs to ensure the best outcome for all parties involved, including the installation of a solar power plant on-site to reduce overall power costs and its environmental, social and governance (ESG) footprint.
"It is truly unbelievable that we were able to transition to this enormous achievement for the company,” said Gratomic CEO Arno Brand in a statement.
“It has suffered greatly under tough market conditions in the past 18 months. Nonetheless, we were determined to persevere without losing sight of our goal despite any challenges thrown at us.”
Gratomic is a multinational company with projects in Namibia, Brazil, and Canada. It is focused on becoming a leading global graphite supplier and it aims to secure a strong position in the electric vehicle battery supply chain.
Contact the author at emily.jarvie@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow her on Twitter @emilyjjarvie