Total Graphite PLC (LSE:TGR, OTCQX:TGRHF) has returned high-grade, near-surface graphite from initial drilling at its Vatomina project in Madagascar, including a peak assay of 18.62% total graphitic carbon (TGC), as it works towards an updated mine plan and production restart.
The company completed 587 metres of drilling across 17 boreholes at the Tarandava Block, testing an area of around 1.16 square kilometres. Graphite mineralisation was intersected throughout the program, predominantly within shallow saprolite and weathered material.
Hole VAT-DD26-015 returned 6.5 metres at 9.44% TGC from 15.5 metres downhole, including 5 metres at 11.30% TGC from 16 metres.
That interval contained the program’s highest individual assay so far, with 1 metre grading 18.62% TGC from 19 metres.
VAT-DD26-009 intersected 5 metres at 6.83% TGC from just 6 metres downhole, including 4 metres at 7.89% TGC from 7 metres.
Total Graphite said the combination of grade and shallow depth warranted further drilling to test the continuity and extent of mineralisation at Tarandava.
The drilling forms part of the wider Vatomina optimisation strategy, aimed at increasing confidence in the existing mineral resource, improving near-term mine planning and assessing opportunities to expand the resource base.
A 2025 SRK Competent Person’s Report estimated an exploration target of about 18-20 million tonnes grading around 4% TGC at Vatomina, additional to an existing resource of approximately 6 million tonnes at 3.8% TGC. The exploration target remains conceptual.
Drilling will now focus on the Old Mine, Old Mine Extension and BK6 areas to support the planned production restart and mine optimisation.
A second diamond drill rig is expected to be recommissioned during August, with the current optimisation drilling program scheduled to continue through the fourth quarter of 2026.
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