Graphite Refinery Project Under Scrutiny, Arvin Boolell Seeking Answers

On Tuesday, June 25, a Private Notice Question was tabled regarding the proposed graphite production plant project at Mer Rouge. The leader of the opposition, Arvin Boolell, put forth a series of questions to Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, seeking clarification on various aspects of the project.

The project, led by NextSource CSPG, is aiming to establish a “Battery Anode Facility” (BAF) to produce coated, spheronized purified graphite (CSPG) for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles.

This is planned to be done through its Mauritian subsidiary, NextSource CSPG (Mauritius) Ltd, incorporated on January 31, 2023.

NextSource Materials, a Canadian company based in Toronto, submitted an environmental impact assessment (EIA) permit application to the Environment Ministry in March 2024 to construct a graphite plant at Mer-Rouge Freeport.

The company aiming to install and produce CSPG, a material used in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.

Private Notice questions put to Pravind Jugnauth by Arvin Boolell about the project included:

(a) Why and when was the project refused at Jin Fei?

(b) Is there a report warning against this project in the Port Area?

(c) What security risks does the project pose to the neighbouring population, factories, and Ramsar site?

(d) What is the total estimated value and expected annual return of the project?

Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth responded to the Private Notice Question at the National Assembly on June 25 as follows:

The proposed graphite refinery project at Mer Rouge has not yet been approved. The application for its establishment is currently under review.

The graphite refinery project, led by NextSource CSPG, is requiring an investment of $50 million and could generate up to $100 million.

The creation of 120 direct jobs and 300 indirect jobs is also expected with this project, as emphasized by the Prime Minister.

However, Arvin Boolell insisted that such a project poses serious risks to the health and safety of local residents in the port area.

Pravind Jugnauth’s response has left doubts over the proposed graphite refinery project in Mer Rouge, according to opposition leader Arvin Boolell.

Speaking to the press after the parliamentary session, Boolell expressed concerns that the project would pose a threat to the safety and health of residents and workers in Port-Louis.

He urged that the project not be implemented for the greater good of the country.

Also present at the press conference was MP Joanna Bérenger, environmental affairs minister for the Mauritian Solidarity Front, who called for the release of reports from project promoters and stressed that authorities must abandon the project to protect the environment.

Source: l’Express / Defi Media