The Madagascar-focused graphite miner has begun laboratory test work on high-purity and expandable graphite, targeting a first downstream plant investment decision by early 2027.

Total Graphite has appointed Lycopodium Minerals Africa to update the feasibility work on its permitted Montepuez graphite project in Mozambique, with initial results due in November.

New drilling at the Old Mine area confirms a thick, high-grade graphite seam and identifies a new extension zone ahead of a restart mine plan.

Initial drilling at the Tarandava Block returned high-grade, near-surface graphite intersections, supporting Total Graphite's optimisation programme at its Madagascar operation.

"By developing capabilities in High Purity Graphite, Expandable Graphite and Active Anode Material, we aim to position the Company to participate across a much larger proportion of the graphite value chain," said Christian Dennis, chairman.

"I am excited to be joining the Total Graphite team to provide operational leadership at Vatomina during the current drilling and operational readiness optimisation programme," Graeme Chester said.

The graphite developer has suspended production at its Madagascar mine while it pursues drilling and technical work, targeting a restart above 1,000 tonnes a month from December.

Total Graphite has started a Portfolio Optimisation Programme to accelerate development and maximise shareholder value and has made immediate board changes to support execution.

Total Graphite will commission updated feasibility studies on a Reno, Nevada purified spherical graphite (PSG) plant first modelled in 2017 and consolidate those findings with its Montepuez DFS to advance a mine-to-anode supply chain.

Total Graphite has restarted mining and processing at its Vatomina flake graphite project after completing a fundraising at the end of March, with shipments restarted and further plant restarts planned for June.