Mozambique graphite production surges, exceeding annual targets

Mozambique's graphite production, a critical mineral for electric vehicle battery manufacturing, nearly quadrupled in the first half of 2026. According to government data, the country produced 25,474 tonnes between January and June, representing a 278% increase compared to the 6,734 tonnes produced during the same period in 2025.

This output has already exceeded the government's annual production target of 14,815 tonnes by 72%. Officials attributed this surge to the operational consistency of the nation's largest producer and the entry of a new mining company in the Niassa province.

The growth marks a significant recovery for a sector that faced several years of operational constraints and contraction. After reaching a historical peak of 165,946 tonnes in 2022, production had declined steadily through 2024. A key driver of the current recovery is the Balama mine in Cabo Delgado, operated by the Australian company Syrah, which is one of the largest natural graphite operations outside of China.