Business
Battery Producer Moves Facility from Mauritius to Middle East
Toronto-based NextSource Materials is shifting its plans for a battery anode facility (BAF) from Mauritius to the Middle East. The company aims to benefit from faster permitting, better infrastructure, and closer proximity to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers.
The company had been working on this facility for several years but faced delays and regulatory uncertainties.
Moving the project to the Middle East is expected to reduce financial risks and allow quicker deployment of equipment.
“NextSource remains committed to building a sustainable and scalable supply chain for battery anode materials,” said CEO Hanré Rossouw.
“While ending our Mauritius lease was a difficult decision, we are now focusing on larger opportunities in the Middle East.
Our expertise and assets will help us meet global demand more efficiently.”
The company is now looking at potential BAF sites in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
These regions offer streamlined permitting, strong infrastructure, and strategic proximity to major EV manufacturers.
NextSource is also negotiating with potential EV equipment makers to secure offtake agreements.
Battery anode facilities are used to process graphite concentrate into coated, purified, and spherical forms—key components in lithium-ion batteries for EVs.
NextSource’s main asset is the Molo graphite mine in Madagascar, one of the largest and highest-quality deposits globally. The mine has already begun Phase 1 production.
Source: Mining Weekly
