Syrah Resources (“Syrah” or “Company”), and its Mozambican subsidiary Twigg Exploration and Mining Limitada, is strongly committed to shared benefit, local development, national employment, and positive contribution to the Balama District, Cabo Delgado Province and Mozambique. The Company has reached a key milestone in ESG performance at its Balama Graphite Operation, becoming the first graphite project globally to achieve an Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance 50 level of performance. The rating reflects progress across responsible mining practices, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and community engagement.
The operation also maintains ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 certifications, with regular on-site audits. Independent assessments have been conducted by Mozambique’s Ministries of Mineral Resources, Labour and Environment, the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), IRMA’s auditing body SCS Global Services, and other international partners. Ongoing monitoring is in place, including 18-month audit cycles under IRMA and annual assessments linked to DFC financing.
Despite navigating extremely turbulent international market and policy conditions, the Company has invested significantly in its people, community and infrastructure around Balama.
As of the end of the March 2025 quarter, Syrah has:
- Delivered a total economic contribution of US$542 million in Mozambique since 2013,
- Invested over US$4 million in direct community development,
- Positively impacted more than 45,000 people including employees, contractors and host community members through its presence,
- Maintained over 97% Mozambique workforce (employees and contractors), with 48% from eight host communities local to the Balama operation,
- Constructed and continues to fully-fund the operation of the Balama Professional Training Centre, as committed under a formal MoU with Mozambique’s Institute for Vocational Training and Labour Studies (IFPELAC),
- Graduated nearly 500 community members (non-employees) from the Balama Professional Training Centre, equipping them with practical employable skills over the past 5 years.
Through the Local Development Agreement and Local Development Committee, comprising Company, government and community representation – Syrah has invested over US$4 million in education, infrastructure, health programs, agricultural development and sustainable income generation activities.
Notable investments include:
- Construction of three solar-powered primary schools, providing an educational hub for over 1,000 children,
- Installation of potable water boreholes across all eight host communities,
- Rehabilitation of roads and the major community dam,
- Expansion of electricity infrastructure and water access,
- Construction of a community meeting building and a wholesale central market.
Alignment with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the Global Reporting Initiative are core to the Company’s operating philosophy. In line with the UNGPs, Syrah has embedded human rights due diligence across the operations, supply chain, security services, community programs, and environmental management systems. These commitments are further demonstrated through:
- Achievement of IRMA 50 level of performance,
- Ongoing ISO:45001 and ISO:14001 certifications as detailed in our Sustainability Reports,
- Annual publication of the Company’s Modern Slavery Statement,
- Robust Corporate Governance Framework.
The Company maintains formalised grievance mechanisms accessible to employees, contractors, community members, suppliers and other stakeholders, with structured processes in place to facilitate the reporting and remediation of concerns raised in an effective, fair, transparent, culturally appropriate, timely and auditable manner.
Since 2017, through the formally established Internal Union Committee, the Company has engaged in meaningful, good-faith negotiations with the workforce to implement an Employee Bargaining Agreement (known locally as the Company Level Agreement; CLA), ensuring fair employment conditions and benefits for employees, and further supporting collective bargaining and freedom of association. Following agreement with the Internal Union Committee, the CLA is reviewed and signed by the Mozambique Department of Labour, declaring its compliance with all relevant legislation at a minimum.
Procedural fairness and legal compliance are fundamental to Syrah’s approach to employee relations and disciplinary processes. Where complex labour matters arise, the Company engages an independent legal firm to lead and oversee disciplinary procedures. Throughout these processes, the Company ensures all legal procedures are followed in accordance with Mozambique’s Labour Law, including engagement with the trade union, transparent communication with authorities, and extensive documentation of the process.
The Company continues to work very constructively under the guidance of the Mozambican national and provincial governments on resolution of a complex and multifaceted situation impeding Balama operations. Syrah has made strong progress and look forward to continuing to invest in, develop and share benefit with the local and broader communities in Mozambique.
Source: Syrah Resources / Media Release
