Gratomic Inc. (OTCQX: CBULF) announced that on September 10, 2025 the Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy confirmed its intention to renew Mining Licence ML215, and the licence has now been fully upgraded and extended through March 2040. This renewal covers the company’s Aukam graphite deposit area of approximately 1,286 hectares in southern Namibia and represents a significant de-risking of the project by locking in surface rights, environmental approvals and export permissions for the next decade and a half. The extended term ensures uninterrupted exploration, development and commercial production planning, bolstering Gratomic’s project valuation and underpinning its long-term growth strategy.

With licence validity now secured for 15 more years, Gratomic can finalize its feasibility studies and negotiate off-take agreements with industrial and battery-grade graphite end users. The company has previously reported a 2023 preliminary economic assessment estimating an after-tax net present value of US$112 million at a 10% discount rate and a 25-year mine life. The licence renewal enhances lender and investor confidence by reducing permitting risk, positioning Gratomic to pursue US$40–60 million in project financing to fund plant construction and ramp-up to a targeted annual output of 70,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate. Analysts note that the extended licence term aligns with global battery demand forecasts, which project a 30% compound annual growth rate in graphite consumption through 2035.

By securing ML215 through 2040, Gratomic strengthens its competitive positioning as one of the few Western-listed pure-play graphite developers with an advanced African asset. Namibia’s stable mining jurisdiction, low sovereign risk and established infrastructure corridors to the Port of Lüderitz support efficient logistics and lower operating costs. The renewal comes at a time when major OEMs and battery manufacturers are seeking diversified supply chains outside China, potentially enabling Gratomic to negotiate premium pricing or longer-term supply contracts. Market observers highlight that successful licence renewals of this duration are rare in the region, underscoring the company’s effective relationship management with host-country regulators.