Tirupati Graphite has begun production at its Vatomina mine in Madagascar. (Earlier post.) Steady state 24/7 production has been ongoing since 6 August 2024, with production of 165 tons in seven (7) consecutive working days.

With the 330 days per annum operational design, this run rate equates to 7,778 tons per annum production being >97% of the rated capacity of Vatomina at 3% head grade. Tirupati decided to produce only higher grade products and reports that all products manufactured have tested >96% product grade.

Tirupati remains confident that it is well positioned to achieve the 8,000 tons per annum production run rate from Vatomina, subject to there being no disruptions or inefficiencies caused by financial limitations.

The company has shipped 140 tons finished product up to 10 August while 240 tons are in the process of being shipped; the company’s target of >600 tons shipped in August 2024 remains on track.

Goods are being shipped to customers across the globe; the company will provide further updates on the realized basket price in due course.

Tirupati Graphite Plc is a specialist graphite producer. Operations include primary mining and processing in Madagascar where the company operates two key projects, Sahamamy and Vatomina with a combined 30,000 tpa of currently installed capacity at 4.5% assumed head grade, producing high-quality flake graphite concentrate with up to 97% purity and selling to customers globally.

The company also holds two advanced-stage, world-class, natural graphite projects in Mozambique. Work has already commenced to optimize the economics for development of the Montepuez graphite project, which is permitted for 100,000tpa production and where substantial construction work has already been undertaken by the predecessor.