Tesla Motors (NASDAQ:TSLA) has expressed an interest in sourcing graphite for its lithium-ion battery gigafactory from North America, and as a result, many investors are excited about companies focused on that region. 

However, North America isn’t the only place graphite can be found, and companies are seeking out deposits in other locales as well. In particular, graphite in Africa is attracting interest, with Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia and Tanzania in particular enjoying attention. With that in mind, the Investing News Network has put together a brief overview of companies exploring for graphite in those countries. Read on to find out what’s got them excited.

Graphite in Africa: Mozambique

• Mozambi Resources (ASX:MOZ) — Mozambi Resources has the option to acquire two license applications in Mozambique’s graphite-rich Balama-Montepuez region. It also holds the Nachingwea project in Tanzania, as well as coal exploration licenses in both Queensland and Mozambique.
• Syrah Resources (ASX:SYR) — Syrah Resources is making quick progress at its Mozambique-based Balama graphite project, which it says holds the largest graphite ore reserves in the world at 81.4 million tonnes at 16.2 percent total graphitic carbon for 13.1 million tonnes of contained graphite. Afeasibility study was completed for the project in May 2015, and the company expects to start production in the first quarter of 2017.
• Triton Minerals (ASX:TON) — Through its majority stake in Grafex, Triton holds eight exploration licenses in Mozambique, six of which have been granted and two of which are in application. Together, they make up three projects: Balama North, Balama South and Ancuabe. The company’s flagship project is Balama North, which contains Nicanda Hill, the world’s largest graphite mineral resource. Triton is “rapidly advancing” Nicanda Hill to production, and just updated its mineral resource estimate.

Graphite in Africa: Madagascar

• DNI Metals (TSXV:DNI) — DNI Metals is developing its Madagascar-based Vohitsara project, which recently received a full mining permit; development of a NI 43-101 compliant resource is currently underway. The company also has a wholesale graphite trading division and recently signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire a fully operational commercial laboratory that’s capable of analyzing graphite ores.
• Energizer Resources (TSX:EGZ,OTCQX:ENZR) — Energizer Resources is developing its feasibility-stage Molo graphite project in Southern Madagascar. The company has put out a slew of press releases this year on potential uses for graphite from the project, and most recently reported that independent testing by various third parties shows that it meets or exceeds “quality requirements for all major end-markets for natural flake graphite.”
• Malagasy Minerals (ASX:MGY) — Malagasy Minerals holds the Maniry graphite project in Southern Madagascar, and completed a maiden diamond drill program on four targets there earlier this year. However, the company recently announced plans to acquire Greenmount Resources, noting that assets including Maniry will be folded off into a new company.
• Stratmin Global Resources (LSE:STGR) — London-listed Stratmin holds two long-term mining licenses in Madagascar: Loharno and Antsirabe. It announced in October the completion of a successful test month of 24-hour production at Loharno, noting that production volume met all targets. Bass Metals (ASX:BSM) is currently working to earn up to a 35-percent stake in Loharno.

Graphite in Africa: Namibia

• Next Graphite (OTCMKTS:GPNE) — Next Graphite is aiming to relaunch its 100-percent-owned, past-producing Aukam graphite mine in Southern Namibia. According to the company, it’s the only historical graphite production site in the country, and put out 25,000 tons of graphite between 1940 and 1974. Caribou King Resources (TSXV:CKR) recently gained the option to acquire an initial 63-percent stake in Aukam.

Graphite in Africa: Tanzania

• IMX Resources (ASX:IXR) — IMX Resources is focused on the Chilalo graphite project, located at its Southeast Tanzania-based Nachingwea property. Nachingwea also hosts the Nkata Hill nickel project, the Kishugu and Naujombo gold targets and other precious and base metals exploration prospects. Last month, the company converted 62 percent of the high-grade mineral resource at the Shimba deposit, located at Chilalo, to the indicated category.
• Kibaran Resources (ASX:KNL) — Kibaran Resources is moving rapidly to get its Epanko graphite project into production; it has completed a bankable feasibility study for it, and has set up two offtake agreements for it. The company is also making progress at its Merelani-Arusha graphite project, and owns the Tanga graphite project and the Kagera nickel project. All four projects are in Tanzania.
• Magnis Resources — Magnis Resources’ Nachu graphite project in Tanzania is scheduled to reach production late this year. Nachu’s maiden JORC resource came in at 156 million tonnes at 5.2 percent total graphitic carbon for over 8 million tonnes of contained graphite, and Magnis has offtake agreements for 180,000 tonnes per year with two graphite industry leaders.
• Mozambi Resources (ASX:MOZ) — As mentioned, Mozambi Resources holds the Nachingwea project in Tanzania, plus various coal exploration licenses and the option to acquire two graphite license applications in Mozambique.
• Walkabout Resources (ASX:WKT) — Walkabout Resources is exploring for both coal and graphite, and holds the Lindi graphite project in Southeastern Tanzania. The company recently released initial assay results from drilling at Lindi.

Did we miss a graphite company that’s focused on one of these countries? Let us know in the comments!

Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article. 

Editorial Disclosure: Energizer Resources, Magnis Resources and Next Graphite are clients of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid-for content.