Following a competitive tender process, Tanzania-based graphite developer Black Rock Mining awarded, in early February 2026, a $11-million contract for bulk earthworks at its Mahenge graphite project to mining contracting business Taifa Mining and Civils.

The contract pricing is based on two distinct sections to allow for an immediate start of critical path activities, while project financing is finalised.

The early works phase – SP1 – is valued at $946 522 and will focus on mobilisation, Mdindo stream diversion and contractor facilities.

The main works phase – SP2 – will take place post and subject to the final investment decision (FID) and will focus on site earthworks including internal roads, process plant area, dry stack tailings preparation, dams, and internal roads and contractor laydown areas.

“By structuring the contract into two phases, we can proceed immediately with the critical diversion of the Mdindo stream followed by the main body of the earthworks. This is a vital derisking step that clears the path for the main construction phase,” says Black Rock MD John de Vries.

The two-phase approach also ensures that once an FID is made, the Mahenge site is physically ready for a rapid transition into full-scale construction.

“The pricing we have secured is consistent with our front-end engineering design estimates, further validating the robust economics of the Mahenge graphite project as we move toward execution,” he adds.

The construction of the Mdindo stream diversion channel under SP1 is a critical early works activity. Completing this diversion, creates unrestricted access to the plant site area, ensuring Black Rock Mining can execute a rapid ramp-up of construction activities for the main works, once project financing is secured and the FID has been made.

The company notes that a separate tender process will be developed for the Faru John road and resettlement villages area.

Track Record

Taifa, a Tanzanian national company, previously bid and won on the tender for contract mining services for the operational phase of the Mahenge project.

Following a rigorous evaluation, Taifa was selected as providing the lowest cost technically conforming tender and representing the best value to Black Rock Mining.

While Taifa has been advised of this selection as the preferred contractor, Black Rock Mining notes that formalisation of the contract in writing is subject to approval by Tanzania’s Mining Commission. Black Rock Mining confirms that an approval request has been submitted to the Mining Commission.

Going forward, limited notice to proceed will be issued to proceed with the early works. Site works will start once regulatory approvals are in place, reports Black Rock Mining.

Black Rock Mining holds a 84% interest in the Mahenge graphite project. The project hosts a multi-generational graphite resource and is one of the largest Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant flake graphite resources globally, with 213-million tonnes grading 7.8% total graphitic carbon (TGC) and a reserve of 70-million tonnes grading 8.5% TGC. The Mahenge project is spread across 324 km2 of exploration tenements in Tanzania’s Ulanga district, about 250 km north of the border with Mozambique, 250 km west of the coastal port city of Mtwara on the Indian Ocean and 300 km southwest of Tanzania’s largest city Dar es Salaam.