Walkabout Resources, an ASX-listed company, has commenced ore concentration activities at its Lindi Jumbo graphite mine in Tanzania, marking significant progress in the commissioning phase.
Expected to rank among the top five natural graphite producing mines outside of China, Lindi Jumbo represents the first major mining project to enter production in Tanzania in over a decade.
The company reports successful ore movement through the concentrating circuit, resulting in the production of unscreened wet concentrate.
With a design capacity of 40,000 t/y, the plant is poised to significantly enhance graphite production.
However, challenges related to fuel supply consistency for the rotary dryer have temporarily impeded the commissioning progress of the back-end plant.
Walkabout is actively addressing this issue, with the involvement of the burner manufacturer to expedite commissioning and ensure operational efficiency.
Once the back-end plant is fully operational, wet commissioning of the screening and bagging units will proceed, further streamlining production processes and facilitating increased throughput.
Despite unforeseen delays in fuel supply contract approvals from the Tanzanian Mining Commission, Walkabout remains committed to establishing permanent infrastructure to mitigate supply chain risks associated with temporary arrangements.
Financially, Lindi Jumbo’s operating costs are currently being supported by a senior debt facility, with additional standby funding available if needed.
The company aims to achieve its design capacity of 40,000 t/y within four months, focusing on optimization strategies to enhance grade, flake size distribution, and metallurgical recoveries.
Market conditions for coarse flake natural graphite remain favorable, driven by constrained global supply and stable demand conditions.
With Lindi Jumbo’s production poised to capture full value amid market shortages, Walkabout anticipates positive pricing dynamics, particularly for larger flakes.
Lindi Jumbo graphite enters the global market at a pivotal juncture, offering customers a viable supply chain alternative outside of China.
Moreover, the project’s natural graphite aligns with regulatory frameworks such as the US Inflation Reduction Act and the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, further enhancing its appeal to battery makers and other industrial end-users.
Andrew Cunningham, MD and CEO of Walkabout Resources, emphasizes the significance of Lindi Jumbo’s contributions to the graphite market, underscoring the project’s potential to meet evolving industry needs and support strategic initiatives aimed at diversifying supply chains and reducing dependence on Chinese graphite.
