UPDATE 1-Australia’s Syrah Resources secures loan waiver amid Mozambique unrest

(Updates with background in para 2, further details in paras 3-5 and share price in para 6)

Jan 7 (Reuters) – Australia’s Syrah Resources said on Tuesday it has secured a waiver for default events under its United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) loan of $150 million, granting it relief following operational disruptions at its Balama Graphite operation in Mozambique due to ongoing nationwide protests.

The company

suspended

operations at its flagship graphite mine in December, following disruptions caused by farmer-led protests since September 2024. Despite the suspension, Syrah has not defaulted on any loan payment obligations.

The Melbourne-based miner received a $53 million tranche in November 2024, which is now available for Balama’s working capital.

While the remaining balance is committed, “further DFC loan disbursements are not available while Balama operations are blocked by the protest actions,” Syrah said in a statement.

“Operating conditions in Mozambique are challenging with

ongoing nationwide protests

associated with general elections causing widespread disruptions throughout the country,” it added.

Syrah said it is actively collaborating with the DFC and the U.S. Department of Energy regarding these default events as the nationwide protests continue to disrupt operations across Mozambique.

Shares of the miner were up 2.3% to A$0.22 in early trade. (Reporting by Kumar Tanishk in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)

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