Summary of Operations
Kenmare operates the Moma Mine, located on the coast of Mozambique. The Moma Mine contains reserves of heavy minerals which include the economic titanium minerals ilmenite and rutile used as feedstocks to produce titanium dioxide pigment, as well as the relatively high-value zirconium silicate mineral, zircon.
Kenmare's operating capacity at full production is 800,000 tonnes per annum of ilmenite plus co-products zircon and rutile.
The principal activity of Kenmare Resources plc (“Kenmare”), listed on the Irish and London Stock Exchanges, is the operation and expansion of the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine which is located on the north east coast of Mozambique.
The mine contains reserves of heavy minerals which include the economic titanium minerals ilmenite and rutile used as feedstocks to produce titanium dioxide pigment, as well as the relatively high-value zirconium silicate mineral, zircon. Titanium dioxide pigment is used in paints, paper and plastic production. The primary applications for zircon are in the manufacture of opacifiers for ceramic tile production and for refractory products used in the steel and foundry industries.
Mining is undertaken using dredges which float in an artificial mining pond. These dredges pump the mineral sands that form the wall of the pond in to a floating wet concentrator plant (WCP). A heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) is produced which is then pumped to a nearby minerals separation plant (MSP) where it is separated into final products for export via Kenmare’s product transshipment vessel, Bronagh J. This vessel is self-propelled, self-discharging and capable of carrying mineral from the jetty to the transshipment point, where product is loaded on to the customer’s vessel. The ability to mine and export directly from the Moma site using a dedicated shipping terminal contributes to placing Kenmare toward the bottom of the industry production cost curve.
Kenmare plans to ramp-up production to 800,000 tonnes per annum of ilmenite plus co-products zircon and rutile. The company has raised funds to increase this production capacity by 50% in order to maximise the value of the world-class mineral reserves at the Mine.
Key Facts:
- Location on the coast (limited overland transport)
- Surface mineralisation (no overburden)
- Low cost dredge mining
- Limited infrastructure requirements
- Low cost hydro power
- Significant co-product revenue
- Ilmenite products suitable for sulphate & chloride markets without further beneficiation
- Substantial additional mineral resources for expansion
Top of page