Syrah Resources has signed a US$150 million loan agreement with United States International Development Finance Corp for working and capital expenses at the Balama project in Mozambique amid terrible market conditions for producers in the graphite sector.The US wants to help ensure Balama's ongoing future to supply graphite to Syrah's Vidalia active anode material plant in Louisiana as part of a government push to create security of supply for so-called critical minerals.
"Nevertheless, without substantial improvement in China import demand, expectations for the December 2024 quarter fall short of the levels required to incentivise production from more than one campaign under the current operational framework."Ultimately, Syrah expects consolidation to occur in the sector.