Black Rock Mining Limited signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) to carry graphite products from the Mahenge Graphite Project.
TAZARA and Faru Graphite Corporation Limited, Black Rock’s Tanzanian subsidiary, have signed an MOU. The deal lays the groundwork for a legally binding agreement to transport graphite produced by Black Rock in Mahenge to the Port of Dar es Salaam via an existing railway siding and rail lines controlled by TAZARA. The agreement specifies railway rights as well as freight haulage.
The MOU aims to provide cost-effective critical logistics requirements for Black Rock’s anticipated activities at Mahenge, with essential provisions such as:
- TAZARA’s ability to transport 89,000 metric tonnes of graphite generated by Module One, increasing to 344,000 metric tonnes in total output by Module Four;
- Rail transportation and access for graphite products to Dar es Salaam’s high-volume container port using the existing railway and sidings;
- Identify the ideal operating regime (run-when-ready or dedicated train way) for Black Rock’s proposed operation at Mahenge; and
- Provide secure storage facilities.
“Direct access to rail will give Black Rock a tremendous advantage when it comes to running a lower cost and sustainable operation. Having rail on our doorstep clearly demonstrates this unique competitive advantage that ultimately enables Black Rock to access key customer destinations from the deep-water port of Dar es Salaam. This rail infrastructure is already in place, and with the recent MOU with Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) for grid power, Black Rock continues to focus on establishing the building blocks required as part of our long-term plan to deliver a world-class, sustainable and responsible graphite operation at Mahenge,” Black Rock CEO John de Vries said.
