https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Bass Metals moves closer to commissioning graphite mine

23rd January 2018

By: Megan van Wyngaardt

Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed Bass Metals, which is developing the Graphmada large flake graphite mine, in Madagascar, has completed a major component of the recommissioning process at the project.

The mine is now nearing completion of Stage 1 of delivering a 100%-owned mine free of any serviceable debt. "With offtake agreements in place, producing premium large flake concentrates at a time of rising prices the mine is expected to be fully operational by March," the company said on Tuesday.

The completion of Stage 1 would establish Bass as one of only two ASX-listed producers and one of only four publically listed graphite producers globally. Bass has recently successfully completed a major component of the recommissioning process with first production achieved from the recommencement of drying and packaging operations from stockpiled wet product.

With the drying and packaging system fully operational, the mine now enters the final phase of its optimisation and refurbishment through the commencement of recommissioning activities at the process plant.

However, owing to cyclone activity in the southern Indian Ocean in January, shipping of the final electrical components and mining equipment were delayed, with a subsequent delay in completing the recommissioning of the process plant estimated at four to six weeks.

The team will use the additional time to perform a more thorough recommissioning process, allowing for each process plant component to be recommissioned individually to test that all components are fully functional, before recommissioning the process plant in its entirety in March, bringing the mine back into full time production.

Post recommissioning, the company would ramp up production over consecutive months with the aim being to reach 500 t/m of high-value graphite concentrates by May.

CEO Tim Mcmanus said the team would continue to be proactive during the final phases of recommissioning. "In addition to near-term cash flow from operations, with significant prospectivity at Andapa and being weeks away from beginning our field programme at Millie's Reward, the company is poised to deliver on long held key strategic objectives to create significant shareholder value this year."

Edited by Mariaan Webb
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

Showroom

Environmental Assurance (Pty) Ltd.
Environmental Assurance (Pty) Ltd.

ENVASS is a customer and solutions-driven environmental consultancy with established divisions, serviced by highly qualified and experienced...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Actom image
Actom

Your one-stop global energy-solution partner

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.077 0.126s - 156pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now