Specialist flake graphite company Total Graphite has appointed Lycopodium Minerals Africa to review and update the feasibility work on its Montepuez graphite project, in Mozambique, which is permitted for production of up to 100 000 t/y.
Lycopodium is expected to use a modular two-stage development route of 50 000 t/y each, as set out in an October 2017 Value Engineering Study, as the base case for its work, rather than the single-stage 100 000 t/y configuration set out in a February 2017 definitive feasibility study.
Total Graphite says the VES development route is the preferred development option, with a lower capital expenditure first stage that establishes operating performance and customer relationships and will be followed by a low-cost expansion when offtake and market demand require it.
“The appointment of Lycopodium marks an important step in advancing Montepuez back towards construction and production. What differentiates Montepuez from many development-stage graphite projects is how much work has already been completed. The project is permitted for production of up to 100 000 t/y, approximately 60% of the detailed engineering was historically completed and initial site infrastructure has already been established.
“The 2017 Value Engineering Study demonstrated the potential benefits of developing Montepuez through a modular approach. Stage 1 targeted approximately 50 000 t/y for pre-production capital of $42.3-million, with the second stage adding almost equivalent capacity for approximately $27-million of incremental capital. While these historical figures now require updating, we believe the underlying capital efficiency of the development remains highly compelling.
“This appointment is therefore not simply an update of an historical feasibility study. It marks the beginning of the next phase in bringing Montepuez back towards development,” comments Total Graphite chairperson Christian Dennis.