Mining Company announces mining commencement despite license issuance discrepancy

Last Updated 13 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Base Resources Limited, whose Kenyan subsidiary is Base Titanium Limited, has announced commencement of ore processing through the mining unit and wet concentrator at the Kwale Mineral Sands Project.

Over the next few weeks, mining and processing rates are set to be increased and gathering of the concentrate ahead of the commissioning of the Mineral Separation Plant (MSP) which is planned for November. The MSP involves mainly the separation of three minerals; ilmenite, rutile and zircon that will take two months.

In April, the Company announced the closing of the dam with efforts to collect enough water in the dam during the anticipated wet season that would be used in the processing. According to a press statement by the Company, the majority of the supporting infrastructure is now complete, with the access road, 132kv power supply, tailings storage facility and Mukurumudzi dam now functionally complete. The Likoni marine facility is scheduled for completion in November, which is well ahead of the first bulk shipment.

The Company says that small container shipments are planned during December while the bulk shipments of finished product are scheduled to commence in January.

Since July, Mining companies’ activities have been stalled, following an investigation ordered by the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Hon. Najib Balala. Base Titanium Limited was also under investigation run by a task force appointed by the CS, amongst 42 other mining companies.