Mozambique marked a new industrial milestone on Friday as President Daniel Chapo inaugurated a major graphite processing plant in the north.
The Chinese-owned facility at the Nipepe mine will process 200,000 metric tonnes of graphite annually, strengthening Mozambique’s role in global battery supply chains.
Graphite, a vital mineral for electric vehicle batteries and mobile phones, is prized for its exceptional heat and electrical conductivity.
Global mined graphite production stands at about 1.6 million metric tonnes a year, according to United States Geological Survey estimates.
Mozambique ranks among the world’s leading graphite producers, joining a market long dominated by China’s vast reserves and processing capacity.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chapo said the project symbolised Mozambique’s determination to fully harness its natural wealth.
“Today we are entering the world’s industrial map,” he said, declaring an end to reliance on exporting raw materials alone.
He added that Mozambique now aims to produce, process and export higher-value industrial materials to global markets.
The graphite push comes as TotalEnergies resumes construction of a $20 billion liquefied natural gas project in the country.
Chinese firm DH Mining, which began developing the Nipepe mine in 2014, has invested $200 million in mining and processing infrastructure.
The company currently employs 890 workers at the Niassa province site, with plans to expand the workforce to 2,000.
Mozambique’s graphite sector also includes operations by Australia’s Syrah Resources, Dutch metals firm AMG, and Australia’s Triton Minerals.
