JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) - Ireland-based Kenmare Resources, which owns the Moma titanium minerals mine in Mozambique, is on target for full production before the end of the year, chairperson Charles Carvill said on Monday.

He reported that a performance improvement project at Moma was "virtually finished", noting that it had contributed to a steady increase in output.

In the second quarter of 2009, production of heavy mineral concentrate increased by 23% from the first quarter, ilmenite output rose by 12,2%, zircon production jumped 45%, while rutile output surged 158%.

The Moma mine will produce 800 000 t of ilmenite, 21 000 t of rutile and 56 000 t of zircon when it reaches full production.

The Mozambique mine has been plagued by difficulties, such as cyclone damage and faulty equipment, since its inception more than two years ago.

Kenmare said that the industry wide destocking of titanium, which occurred in the first quarter, had abated in the second quarter, with a subsequent increase in shipments from the Moma port.

Meanwhile, the Dublin-based company reported that it had acquired an additional transshipment vessel and tug in August, which would provide loadout capacity beyond the envisaged production rate, as well as reducing operational risk.

Up until now, the mining group had relied on one transshipment vessel, the Bronagh J.

Kenmare posted a net loss of $0,2-million for the six months ended June 30.