Walkabout Resources’ (ASX:WKT) maiden shipment of graphite concentrate from the Lindi Jumbo Graphite Mine in Tanzania is imminent and set for departure to Europe in early July.
In addition, the Graphite Mine continues to receive regular pilot orders that will be fulfilled from concentrate produced during the commissioning and ramp up phase.
Highlights:
o Maiden shipment of graphite concentrate bound for Europe is set for loading and departure in early July.
o Pilot orders of between 20-80 tonnes are being received on a regular basis and will be fulfilled from concentrate produced during the commissioning and ramp up phase.
o Plant throughput is being increased as part of the ramp-up plan to achieve at least one-third of the nameplate production capacity by the end of July.
o Mining, operating and logistics costs are being monitored and managed, with efforts to mitigate impacts of inflation.
o At full production, Lindi Jumbo will be the highest margin producing graphite mine globally.
“We have successfully unlocked a new graphite mining jurisdiction in Tanzania to meet global demand,” Managing Director and CEO, Andrew Cunningham, said.
“Demand for Lindi Jumbo’s graphite product is vibrant and attracting market pricing. Our focus is on continuing to methodically ramp up production and product quality to meet this demand.
“Set to be the highest margin producing graphite mine globally at full production, Lindi Jumbo continues to impress and at current estimated operating costs is currently one of the lowest cost producing mines in the world with one of the highest basket prices globally.
“An inaugural shipment of pilot concentrate will be loaded onto a vessel bound for Europe in early July and will be followed by further exports to various destinations in Asia. All exports from Tanzania require verification sampling and analysis at a Tanzanian Government contracted laboratory to validate the product chemistry determined at the Lindi Jumbo lab.
“Pilot sales are continuing and orders will be fulfilled from concentrate produced during the commissioning and ramp up phase. Orders to date are typically between one and four containers (20 to 80 tonnes per order). The product in these shipments will be tested and on the verification of the desired quality, further regular orders are expected.”