Gratomic Inc. (TSX-V:GRAT, OTCQX:CBULF) has announced key leadership and operational updates as it advances its Aukam Graphite Mine in Namibia into production.
It has appointed Hermanus Manuel Silver as chief operating officer and to its board of directors.
Currently serving as Mine Manager and Head of Namibian Operations, Silver will retain these responsibilities while bringing extensive experience from a 42-year career in open-pit and open-cast mining, Gratomic highlighted.
He has previously held COO and CEO roles and played a significant part in launching and managing mining projects across Africa.
His expertise extends to consulting as a Senior Engineer in metals and minerals, with work spanning Africa, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan. Notably, Silver has contributed as a Senior Engineer for the Highland Group, focusing on gold, copper, and diamond projects in Eritrea, Angola, and Zambia.
Silver expressed confidence that his appointment would bring the necessary experience and direction required to bring Aukam into production.
“We have already started working on a business plan which we plan to implement in December 2024 to set the stage for greater strategic advancement of the asset and the processing plant,” Silver said.
“I have spent a long time working with Arno Brand across the world and look forward to working closer with Cliff Bream and Daniel Baard.”
Gratomic also announced the department of executive chair Bruno Baillavoine for personal reasons. He will continue to act as a key consultant indefinitely.
His position will remain vacant and his duties will be absorbed by the rest of the board as the company evaluates potential candidates to fill the position in the future.
Kobus La Grange, a metallurgist with 34 years of experience in mining and steel industries, has been appointed as head of processing, bringing expertise in developing sustainable resource solutions and leading major projects across Southern Africa.
Further, Gratomic noted that it has bolstered its financial position by selling a residential property in Windhoek, Namibia, generating C$712,000.
The proceeds will be directed towards advancing Aukam and sustaining operations.
Arno Brand, Gratomic CEO, highlighted that it is a relief to see graphite pricing rebalancing and market sentiment strengthening following a challenging period for graphite companies in the market.
“These factors should yield positively towards our completing the necessary steps to deliver our endeavours successfully,” Brand said.
“Critical mineral exports out of the east are becoming heavily encumbered and are poised to strike a major price imbalance between the two dominating economies in the world."
Gratomic highlighted that no economic or feasibility studies have been completed to confirm production viability or delineate mineral resources or reserves at the Aukam property.
The company is working on a study to scale up the Aukam Processing Plant to commercial capacity, aiming to achieve targeted concentrate grades and production rates.