Syrah resources resumes graphite shipments from Mozambique
Australian graphite producer Syrah Resources Ltd. has resumed graphite shipments from its Balama mine in Mozambique, after suspending operations in December due to post-election violence.
The company had invoked force majeure, citing civil unrest following disputed elections in the southeast African nation. With operations having restarted last month, Syrah announced that one shipment is currently being loaded at Pemba port, with another expected before the end of September.
Balama mine
The Balama mine is a critical link in the global electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain, supplying natural graphite, a key component of battery anodes. Syrah’s operations are notably supported by nearly $250 million in funding from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Department of Energy, part of a broader U.S. effort to reduce dependency on Chinese graphite supply chains.
One of the resumed shipments is destined for U.S. customers, though Syrah did not disclose names. However, the miner has had a supply agreement in place with Tesla Inc. since 2021, providing anode material from its Louisiana plant, which uses graphite sourced from Balama.
Syrah’s share price has surged over 40% since July 17, when former U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to impose steep anti-dumping duties on Chinese graphite imports further highlighting Syrah’s strategic role in U.S. critical mineral policy.
Meanwhile, Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo signaled progress in resuming the $20 billion TotalEnergies LNG project, which has been on hold since 2021 due to militant violence in Cabo Delgado province.
