Mining Intelligence and News
Tanzania

Epanko Project

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Summary

Mine TypeOpen Pit
Study CompletedFeasibility
StagePermitting
Commodities
  • Graphite
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
Mine Life... Lock
SnapshotThe Epanko Graphite Mine is part of EcoGraf’s vertically integrated battery anode materials business.

Epanko is the largest "development-ready" graphite mineral resource in Africa and a life-of-mine Special Mining Licence (SML) was granted for Epanko on 3 March 2025 by the Government of Tanzania.

In April 2023 EcoGraf reported the results of its Epanko (Mahenge) Graphite Project pre-development program and includes updated capital cost, operating cost, graphite pricing with all the material assumptions as detailed in the Bankable Feasibility Study (21 June 2017).

Initial 18-year Life of Mine for stage 1, with additional Mineral Resources providing for a phased expansion up to 300,000tpa. Low-grade material will be stockpiled and the processing deferred to the end of the current mining schedule, extending the initial stage 1 operating period by a further 5 years, to 23 years.

As at June 2025, mine development activities continued with progress on EPCM and power agreements.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Government of Tanzania 16 % Indirect
EcoGraph Ltd. 84 % Indirect
Duma TanzGraphite Ltd. (operator) 100 % Direct
Epanko is owned and operated by Duma TanzGraphite Limited, an incorporated joint venture formed in 2023 under a Framework Agreement between EcoGraf and the Government of Tanzania, with EcoGraf holding 84% and the Government 16%.

Contractors

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Deposit type

  • Metamorphic

Summary:

The Epanko Project is hosted within a quartz–feldspar graphitic schist, part of a Neoproterozoic metasediment package, including marble and gneissic units. Two zones of graphitic schist have been mapped, named the Eastern Zone and the Western Zone. Mineralisation is believed to be the product of pre-existing carbonaceous sediments subjected to regional metamorphism induced by a north-south regional thrusting event. The graphitic schists contain between 3% and 29% total graphitic carbon (TGC).

Graphitic mineralisation is hosted within graphitic schist, which is mapped along its strike within the licence area. Total graphitic carbon is assumed to be likewise continuous with the host rock unit. Metallurgical characteristics, principally flake size, has been observed to be of a consistent nature when observed in outcrop, trench exposure and diamond drill core at numerous locations within the licence area.

The graphitic schist is open along strike and down dip in Epanko West. The Epanko East deposit is interpreted to be a recumbent fold, open along strike to the north and south. A sub-vertical shear zone offsets the stratigraphy down dip along the lower fold limb.

Mineralisation domains for TGC were not modelled.

Weathering domains representing oxide, transitional and fresh were modelled and were used during grade interpolation to constrain grade interpolation, and were allocated different density values. A zone of overburden material was modelled for Epanko East, and is barren of TGC.

Lithological domains representing schists, gneisses and marble were interpreted and modelled.

Major structural features, mainly sub-vertical shears and faults, were modelled and used to assess drill assays during preparation of the Mineral Resource estimate.

Dimensions
The Epanko West Mineral Resource estimate is approximately 3,500 m in strike, 250 m in plan width and reaches 300 m depth below surface. The Epanko East Mineral Resource is approximately 320 m in strike, 400 m in plan width and reaches 160 m depth below surface.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Required Heavy Mobile Equipment

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

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Processing

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Commodity Production

CommodityUnitsAvg. Annual
Graphite kt 73
All production numbers are expressed as concentrate.

Operational metrics

Metrics
Annual processing capacity  ....  Subscribe
Stripping ratio  ....  Subscribe
* According to 2023 study.

Production Costs

CommodityUnitsAverage
All-in sustaining costs (sold) Graphite USD  ....  Subscribe
C1 cash costs (sold) Graphite USD  ....  Subscribe
Assumed price Graphite USD  ....  Subscribe
* According to 2023 study / presentation.

Project Costs

MetricsUnitsLOM Total
Pre-Production capital costs $M USD  ......  Subscribe
Pre-tax NPV @ 10% $M USD  ......  Subscribe
Pre-tax IRR, %  ......  Subscribe
Pre-tax payback period, years  ......  Subscribe

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 21, 2025
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 21, 2025
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 21, 2025
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 21, 2025

Workforce

EmployeesContractorsTotal WorkforceYear
...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required 2023

Aerial view:

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