Syrah Resources Ltd (ASX:SYR) is continuing to ramp up the production of flake and fines graphite at its Balama Graphite Project in Mozambique, with increased recoveries and production achieved in February.
Targeting both traditional industrial and emerging technology markets
Syrah produced its first saleable flake graphite product in November 2017 and transitioned into operations on 1 January 2018.
Balama production is targeted to supply traditional industrial graphite markets and emerging technology markets.
Syrah is also developing a downstream battery anode material plant in Louisiana, U.S.
The company has successfully completed extensive product certification test work with several major battery producers for the use of Balama spherical graphite in the anode of lithium ion batteries.
Production volume impact related to fines dryer
Syrah recently had an issue regarding the dryer of the fines graphite circuit (fines dryer) at the Balama operations that has caused damage to the fines dryer refractory bricks and the flame tube.
The coarse flake graphite circuit dryer (flake dryer) is independent of the fines dryer and continues to operate and fines graphite can be rerouted to the flake dryer such that production can continue whilst the fines dryer is being repaired.
Syrah’s current best estimate for the period of repair is 8 weeks. The cost of the repair is not expected to be material.
While the fines dryer is not operational, Syrah expects to produce circa 65% of the volume planned for ramp up during this period.