The tide is out...., page-30

Polly Waffle, you may be interested to read some comments made by Japan's State Minister for the economy, trade and industryat the world's biggest mining conference, Investing in African Mining, taking place in Cape Town taking place at the moment.
Automakers stress importance of battery metals
Part of this report reads

Highlighting Africa's importance in the battery materials supply chain, Yoshihiro Seki, Japan'sstate minister for the economy, trade and industry, said Japan isexpanding its relationship with African producers of battery metals, especiallycobalt and natural graphite.

"Africa has the potential to be animportant supplier to Japanese companies of cobalt and graphite.China is theworld's biggest producer of graphite, so now is a good time for us to increaseour co-operation with African producers," he said.

Syrah Resources' Balama project in Mozambiqueis the world's biggest exporter of natural graphite, and several other projectsare being developed by mainly Australian companies in Mozambique, Tanzaniaand Madagascar

This statement at a world mining conference is very positive sign that Japan will be looking to import graphite for its ev's.

The participants Include many large Australian and overseas companies