BlackEarth Minerals secures key port access for Madagascar graphite project

BlackEarth Minerals NL (ASX:BEM) has announced that it has been granted port access by Madagascar’s Port d’Ehoala to export graphite-related products produced from the company’s Maniry Graphite Project.

Key terms of the deal include:

1. BEM has the right to export up to 30,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate initially, with a provision for increased volume each year in order to cater for project expansion
2. The Port will provide all shiploading services; and
3. The Port will provide the same level of safety and other protections that Rio Tinto (part owner) provides at this Port

Port d’Ehoala

Port d’Ehoala is located in southern Madagascar, nearly 10km from the city of Tôlanaro. Ownership of the Port is shared by Rio Tinto and QIT Madagascar Minerals.

The Port has been operational since 2009 and is large enough to handle increased traffic generated from graphite operations in the south of Madagascar.

The Maniry operation is 250km from the port, and there is currently existing infrastructure in place for transportation of product.

Maniry Graphite Project

In just 2 years, The Company was able to fast-track its flagship Maniry graphite project in Southern Madagascar, reaching the feasibility study stage for a total cost of less than $6 million.

Graphite from the Maniry Project meets specifications consistent with those requirements from Tier 1 operations, with plans to complete the project’s BFS in 2021.

“THIS is a significant milestone in the development of our Maniry Mine operations in the rapidly growing graphite region of Southern Madagasar”