Highlights

• Syrah Resources declared force majeure at Balama graphite mine in Mozambique following post-election civil unrest.
• The disruption impacts critical graphite supply for electric vehicle battery manufacturers, including Tesla.
• The company has defaulted on U.S. government-backed loans totaling $248 million due to ongoing operational challenges.

Syrah Resources Ltd., (opens in a new tab) an Australian mining company, has declared force majeure at its Balama graphite mine in Mozambique due to ongoing civil unrest following disputed elections in October. This unrest has led to significant operational disruptions, including the suspension of transport and processing activities and the evacuation of workers from the site, as reported in the Australian (opens in a new tab).

The instability has also caused Syrah to default on U.S. government-backed loans, specifically a $150 million loan from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and approximately $98 million from the U.S. Department of Energy intended for a downstream processing facility in Louisiana.

The Balama mine is a critical supplier of graphite, a key component in electric vehicle batteries, with clients including Tesla Inc. The operational halt could have significant repercussions on the supply chain for electric vehicle manufacturers, according to Yahoo Finance (opens in a new tab).

Again reported in The Australian (opens in a new tab), the civil unrest in Mozambique has resulted in at least 100 fatalities, primarily among demonstrators, and has disrupted other mining operations in the region. For instance, South32 Ltd. has withdrawn its production forecast for its Mozal Aluminum smelter due to similar disruptions.

According to a Bloomberg (opens in a new tab) entry, Syrah's largest shareholder, AustralianSuper Pty Ltd (opens in a new tab)., which holds a 32% stake, is actively monitoring the situation.

This situation highlights the vulnerabilities in the global supply chain for critical minerals, emphasizing the need for diversified sourcing strategies to mitigate risks associated with geopolitical instability.