Ball mills, crushers, flotation columns, screeners, feeders, mixing tanks, bagging and drying systems have been fabricated and are ready for assembly, said NextSource.
Site works are scheduled to commence in by the fourth quarter of 2021 while the plant equipment is to be delivered to site in the first quarter of 2022.
The company said challenges associated with the construction of a mine during a global pandemic have been "mitigated through the fabrication and assembly of the processing plant as a modular, ‘turn-key' facility".
Craig Scherba, CEO of NextSource Materials commented, "Constructing a mine during ‘normal' times is fraught with challenges, and these challenges are exacerbated in the midst of a global pandemic. The construction philosophy we have adopted has mitigated these challenges, and the project is on-track due to the extremely hard work and perseverance of the various people involved. Their hard work and flexibility in adapting to ever-changing circumstances have been instrumental in bringing the mine closer to fruition."
As outlined in the Company's 2019 Feasibility Study, Phase 1 of the Molo Graphite Mine is estimated to cost US$25 million. Production capacity is expected to be approximately 17,000 tpa of SuperFlake graphite concentrate with FOB operating costs of US$566 per tonne.
