Kenya to support Base Titanium’s growth
The government of Kenya has announced its commitment to supporting the Australian Mining firm Base Titanium in prolonging its mining life in Kwale County.
Base Titanium is an important player in the Kenyan economy, exporting Titanium ore (Rutile, Zircon, and Ilmenite) to various countries including China, Europe, North America, and Japan. However, the firm is facing the possibility of closure due to the exhaustion of mineral deposits in the county, and efforts to find new mineral reserves through exploration have been hindered by a government-imposed moratorium on mining since 2019.
Motive
Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Florence Bore who announced the commitments plans, said the move aims at preserving jobs and economic benefits for the local communities and the Kenyan economy as a whole.
CS Bore assured the affected communities that the government would provide assistance to keep the mining operations alive. She stated that the government is working on lifting the moratorium to allow Base Titanium to further explore potential mining opportunities in Kwale east, thereby prolonging its mining life.
“We have heard your cries and be assured that Base won’t close otherwise,” said the CS during a site visit at the mine.
Base Titanium’s External Affairs Manager, Simon Wall, expressed the company’s appreciation for the government’s support in prolonging mining operations. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to continue supporting the community through various corporate social responsibility roles, including education, health, infrastructure, and livelihood programs.
