Aukam plant on track to produce graphite

Since initiating the commercial commissioning phase at the end of June this year, Gratomic has successfully processed 80 tonnes of material at its Aukam Graphite Mine processing plant in Namibia.

The TSX-listed company foresees an additional capital expenditure of 4.7 million Canadian dollar or about N$62 million for the Aukam graphite facility, Gratomic said in a stock exchange announcement on Wednesday.

This investment is expected to increase Aukam’s output from its current starting point of 7 600 tonnes to 12 000 tonnes by November 2024.

“The company has shown great foresight in its engineering of the facility that allows for rapid expansion in the mid sections of the processing plant as demand picks up, with the front end and back end of the facility built and engineered at full production capability. This does not only optimise expansion, but also manages costs as the company grows into full production capabilities,” Gratomic said.



Stockpile

The company has stockpiled sufficient mined material to sustain current operations for an entire year, according to the company.

Once the final pieces of equipment are installed, graphite production will commence at a consistent rate, gradually expanding until reaching the full capacity of 22 500 tonnes by 2025, it added.

“If all goes well, the plant is expected to start producing in the first quarter of 2024. Initial product is to be sold to a European carbon trader initially until the product can be successfully included into the anode market,” Gratomic said.

"The past few months have been challenging and time consuming. It is with great relief that we now see ourselves in the final steps in preparation of production at the Aukam Graphite mine in Namibia," said Arno Brand, president and CEO of Gratomic.