Syrah Resources and Trading Operations DMCC has awarded a graphite distribution and logistics services supply contract for the Balama Graphite Project to Grindrod.
The project entails the transport, handling, container packing, storage, and export clearance of flake graphite via the port of Nacala in northern Mozambique. Exports of up to 360,000mt per annum are expected.
Twigg Exploration & Mining Limitada (TEML) is a fully owned subsidiary of Syrah Resources Limited, is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, and is developing a new graphite project in northern Mozambique near the town of Balama. The project is located on a 120,6 km2 mining concession in the Cabo Delgado province approximately 500km inland from Nacala Port. Production has commenced and will ramp-up during the course of 2017.
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The logistics services will incorporate the following elements:
• Long-haul transport of the graphite in bulk bags on super link trucks from the TEML mine at Balama, a distance of 499km to Grindrod’s Cross Dock Facility (CDF) positioned 4.7km from the port of Nacala
• At the CDF facility, Grindrod will offload the graphite bags, store them in a warehouse and pack the bags into 20-foot containers ready for export
• Once a shipment is ready these containers will be transported to the Port of Nacala container terminal stack and cleared for export. A portion of the short-haul trucking may be subcontracted to local trucking companies
• Grindrod will be responsible for all elements of the service, including overall logistics management, export documentation management and cargo risk cover.
The Balama logistics project is a true pit-to-port logistics chain incorporating numerous aspects of the Grindrod group’s service offering. Grindrod Logistics Mozambique, being the integrated logistics component (Carrier Logistics and Grindrod Intermodal) and Sturrock Grindrod Maritime will provide operational services, whilst the shared service functions will be provided by Grindrod Mozambique Limitada.
The construction of the CDF is expected to be completed in Q2 2018. Grindrod are developing interim logistics and distribution services for the production ramp-up prior to the completion of the CDF.
Graphite is one of the most versatile non-metallic minerals in the world, being an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. It has the highest natural strength and stiffness of any material which maintains its strength and stability to temperatures in excess of 3 600°C, and is found to be one of the lightest of all reinforcing agents.