Walkabout Resources (ASX:WKT) has nearly completed construction activities and shipments are continuing to arrive in Tanzania for the Lindo Jumbo Graphite Mine.
The $76.67 million market capitalisation company says shipments of structural, mechanical, and electrical equipment are continuing to arrive, with more than 95% of the equipment and structural materials now on site.
All of the Motor Control Centres (MCCs) for the processing plant have been shipped to site and are expected to arriva in Tanzania in the coming days. The MCCs are fully prefabricated and once delivered to site, it will be connected to the electrical circuits, which are currently being installed.
Walkabout notes that TSF construction is 90% complete, with HDPE liner installation progressing well. The planned essential civil works is 97% complete, and the company continues ahead with the processing plant construction.
Civil works are well ahead of the mechanical construction team, and the construction team numbers will be increased over the next few weeks to expedite the mechanical, electrical, and piping installation.
The plant commissioning remains on track for beginning during Q4 this year.
The company is also in the progress of hiring essential staff, with onboarding starting and will continue in preparation of the startup of the mine.
EPC Contractor Jinpeng has agreed to supply some ‘important’ staff for a period of 6 to 12 months, post commissioning to support the ongoing operations, alongside ensuring a structured training, familiarisation, and handover schedule to the Lindi Jumbo operational team.
Commenting on the Lindi Jumbo activities, Walkabout Resources Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andrew Cunningham says: “The availability of capacity under our senior debt facility has enabled the project to make scope changes to further de-risk and potentially lower the cost of future operations.
“It is exciting to see Lindi Jumbo shaping up to be the outstanding graphite producer we knew it would be“
The near completion of construction means the current focus is shifting toward planning for commissioning, plant ramp up, operational readiness and product sales and marketing. It is exciting to see Lindi Jumbo shaping up to be the outstanding graphite producer we knew it would be.”
Walkabout Resources is an ASX-listed developer, focused on its ‘high-grade’ Lindi Jumbo Graphite Project in Southeast Tanzania. In addition to the Lindi Jumbo Project, the company is also exploring Southwest Tanzania at the Amani Hard Rock Gold Project.
As of 30 June 2023, the company had $73,000 cash and cash equivalents at hand, as well as a $25 million debt facility for the Lindi Jumbo Graphite Mine, according to its latest quarterly report.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Walkabout Resources
