Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo has inaugurated a Chinese-owned graphite processing plant as the country seeks to strengthen its position in the global supply chain for battery minerals. The facility, located in the northern province of Niassa, is expected to support value addition in the mining sector and reduce reliance on raw material exports, as detailed by Reuters.
The plant is operated by DH Mining, which has invested about $200 million in graphite mining and processing infrastructure since operations began in 2014. With an annual processing capacity of roughly 200,000 metric tons, the facility is designed to supply graphite used in electric vehicle batteries and consumer electronics, MarketScreener noted.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Chapo said the project marked a turning point for Mozambique’s industrial ambitions, signalling a move from being primarily a raw materials exporter to becoming a processor and exporter of higher-value mineral products. His remarks were carried by Reuters during coverage of the inauguration.
The plant currently employs around 890 workers, with plans to expand the workforce to about 2,000 employees once a second development phase is completed. Industry observers say the project reflects growing foreign interest in Mozambique’s critical minerals sector, which has also attracted companies from Australia and Europe, as highlighted in the report.
