Gratomic Inc has announced the launching of the Operational Readiness initiative of its Aukam vein graphite project in the Karas Region of southern Namibia.
The company explained that Operational Readiness (OR) is the capability to efficiently deploy, operate, and maintain the systems and procedures required on the company's Aukam Graphite Processing Plant.
The main purpose of OR is to reduce operational risks, which is defined as "the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events", it added.
READ: Gratomic prepares for final commissioning stage at its Aukam Graphite processing plant in Namibia
Gratomic said its head of operations in Namibia, Karl Trudeau, is leading the initiative, with team members occupying various disciplines including environment, health and safety (EHS), construction, production, laboratory, process control, maintenance and quality, with the support of other key departments such as human resources and finance.
”Operational Readiness is the only way to ensure a safe and smooth start of a new plant,” Gratomic’s chief operating officer and head of graphite marketing and sales Armando Farhate said in a statement.
“I am proud of Karl and his team for dedicating a lot of effort to this fundamental phase of the Aukam project.”
The company said a tentative schedule for all activities required for Operational Readiness has been deployed and is now under review by site management to assign task operators, identify required resources, and obtain the required management approvals. The schedule indicates that the first Product In Bag (PIB), exhibiting commercial characteristics, is expected to be delivered by the end of March 2022, it added.
"The Gratomic team continues to demonstrate its ability to maintain the highest level of focus and dedication imaginable,” the company’s president and CEO Arno Brand added.
“Despite all the hurdles encountered by a global pandemic and all the struggles that entail, the company has remained on track to bring its Aukam Graphite Project online in 1Q of this year. That is a feat few could achieve, particularly under these circumstances."
Gratomic is focused on introducing an exceptional anode material to the global electric vehicle and energy storage supply chains. It is aiming to achieve full operational capabilities in 2022 on its Aukam graphite project and continues to diversify its assets into a multi-national company with various projects globally.
Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com