MOVERS & SHAKERS IN AFRICA | MOZAMBIQUE Triton Minerals Unwrapping graphite gold ASX-listed graphite explorer and mine developer Triton Minerals has uncovered what could be one of the world’s richest graphite deposits – in Mozambique. In light of expectations that the global demand for graphite will escalate substantially over the next few years, the company is continuing to explore and prove up its resource in fast forward motion, MD Brad Boyle tells Laura Cornish. IN SHORT Graphite is becoming a ‘high-demand’ mineral and greater levels of supply will be needed in coming years. Triton Minerals is set to benefit from this market scenario as it advances its Mozambique-based project Balama North into production. W hile China remains one of the largest graphite consumers in the world, its ability to feed its own production requirements is declining rapidly as almost 30% of its operating graphite mines have been closed owing to serious environmental concerns. And more are set to close in the near future. “As the resultant supply Diamond drill core from the Nicanda Hill prospect at Balama North project showing graphite and vanadium (in green) 24 MINING REVIEW AFRICA ISSUE 8 2014 shortfall increases, the global graphite market will grow,” exponentially over the next five to 10 years, Boyle believes. “So it is quite literally a race to production for graphite explorers and developers – not only because China will start seeking to import the mineral but also because its use in commercial technology products is increasing.” Starting on the right foot In Africa, the quality and quantity of mining deposits themselves is of equal importance to their location and possible routes to market. “Not only have we invested in extremely attractive graphite projects, which we ‘picked up’ in 2012, but we are very fortunate to be surrounded by the prerequisite infrastructure that in so many instances can qualify a project viable or unviable.” All three of Triton’s projects in which it currently owns 60% (and moving up to 80% stakes) – Balama North (the primary focus), Balama South and Ancuabe – are situated in north eastern Mozambique, close to the coastal town of Pemba, and cover about 1 150 km² of area. Because Pemba is a natural deep water port, one of the largest in the world, it is an ideal location for product export. Generally speaking, Pemba is a well-developed town, home to an international airport with a major highway which runs and almost joins the Balama North project area. “There is a major power line running through our project areas and even the telecommunications infrastructure has been significantly upgraded over the last 12 months. When I evaluated these potential graphite prospects,