(Alliance News) - Marula Mining PLC on Tuesday said it has appointed exploration and mining service company Geofields Tanzania Ltd as its independent geological consultants at its Nyorinyori Graphite project in Tanzania.
The Africa-focused mining and development company said Geofields will begin exploration work at the site, in which Marula holds a 75% stake. Marula said Geofields visited the site in the second quarter of 2023, observing high-grade graphite mineralisation and the presence of jumbo graphite flakes.
The work conducted by Geogfields will include mapping, sampling, trenching and and compiling a geological database over the licence areas.
The company said the phase one exploration programme will be focused on the high-grade and jumbo flake mineralisation, as well as graphite mineralisation seen at the surface over a two kilometre strike length.
The work is set to begin during August. Geofields has recently completed work at Marula's Kinusi mine and at its Bagamoyo Graphite project.
Marula expects initial results in October this year, with the phase one exploration programme targeted for completion in September.
Chief Executive Jason Brewer said: "Our initial impression of the potential at Nyorinyori was very positive and to personally be able to see the high-grade graphite mineralisation and hold multiple samples with observed jumbo graphite flakes revealed to me immediately the potential that this project potentially holds.
"Geofields have very quickly demonstrated what a capable and experienced geological team they have and who we are able to work with very effectively. We look forward to seeing Geofields on site at Nyorinyori soon and commencing the phase 1 program of exploration activities."
In a separate statement, Marula said it has received an order of mobile mining equipment at its Blesberg lithium and tantalum mine in South Africa.
The company said it has secured the equipment for ZAR10 million, or GBP416,531 from Bell Equipment Ltd. The equipment includes a three wheel loaders, two excavators, a backhoe loader and two articulated dump trucks.
Marula said the new equipment will allow it to increase mining capacity at Blesberg, above its current threshold of approximately 1,000 tonnes of material moved per day.
Brewer said: "This development further demonstrates Marula's increasing investment in Blesberg, emphasising our commitment to both the existing stockpiles as well as scaling up the mining operation as we expand and move towards a more conventional hard rock open pit mining operation."
Marula shares jumped 13% to 12.23 pence each on Tuesday afternoon in London.
By Harvey Dorset, Alliance News reporter
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