Australian mining company Syrah Resources nearly quadrupled graphite production at its Balama mine in Cabo Delgado during the first half of this year, and is preparing the first commercial sales in the United States of battery material for electric vehicles manufactured from Mozambican raw material.
According to the half-year financial report released on Wednesday, 9 September, and cited by Lusa, the mine produced approximately 25,800 tonnes of graphite between January and June, compared with 6,500 tonnes in the same period of 2025. Over the same period, sales and shipments to customers reached approximately 26,600 tonnes, against 1,800 tonnes recorded a year earlier.
Syrah Resources considers that operational performance in the first half improved significantly compared with the prior corresponding period in 2025, when operations were severely disrupted by a prolonged stoppage. Despite the recovery, production remains constrained by moderate demand for natural graphite outside China, a global supply surplus, and intense competition from Chinese producers.
At the same time, the company advanced operations at its Vidalia facility in the US state of Louisiana, where it produces active anode material (AAM), one of the principal components of electric vehicle batteries. During the first half, the facility produced approximately 150 tonnes of AAM, destined for qualification testing with customers and industrial demonstrations.
During this phase, Syrah Resources teams focused on improving production processes, increasing automation, enhancing the reliability of the facility, and meeting the technical requirements demanded by customers. According to the company, production campaigns allowed the main areas of the facility to operate at close to planned capacity.
On the strength of these advances, the first commercial sales of anode material produced at Vidalia are scheduled for the second half of this year. Syrah Resources considers this milestone fundamental to securing new commercial commitments and creating the conditions to proceed with the planned expansion of the industrial unit.
The company's strategy is to link graphite production at the Balama mine to battery material manufacturing in the United States. The objective is to capitalise on growing interest from governments and automakers in developing raw material and battery component supply chains less dependent on China.
In May, Syrah Resources informed shareholders that it intends to raise annual production at Balama to between 200,000 and 240,000 tonnes from current levels. The company points to growth in the global battery industry as the principal driver of demand. The Australian miner describes Balama as "the largest high-quality graphite resource outside China", with a mine life of more than 50 years and installed production capacity of 350,000 tonnes per year.
Despite the recovery in production and sales, the company's financial position deteriorated in the first half. The net loss widened to US$107.9 million, compared with US$59.8 million in the same period of 2025. The result primarily reflects a US$35.2 million impairment of Vidalia assets following a review of market prospects for anode materials, as well as higher financing charges, which reached US$23.9 million.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/09/09/extractivas-2/syrah-prepara-primeiras-vendas-nos-eua-de-material-para-baterias-produzido-com-grafite-de-mocambique/
