Name of the Mine
Area 1 Operations.

Location  
Moyamba and Bonthe districts, Sierra Leone.

Mine Owner/s  
Sierra Rutile.

Brief Description  
Sierra Rutile's Area 1 operations are centred on one of the world's biggest natural rutile deposits.

The company’s current mining and mineral processing operations at Area 1 extract and process ore from the Gangama, Taninahun, Gbeni and Lanti deposits.

The company has undertaken a mine life extension programme at the Pejebu and Ndendemoia deposits to add further resources and reserves.

Brief History  
Operations started in the 1960s.
  
Area 1 operations were suspended in March 2024, owing to uncertainty about the applicable fiscal regime. The government of Sierra Leone on May 6, 2024, directed Sierra Rutile to restart operations by May 31, 2024. 

Primary Metals/Minerals  
Rutile.

Secondary Metals/Minerals  
Ilmenite and zircon.

Geology/Mineralisation  
The geology of Area 1 features extensive sedimentary formations primarily comprising ancient coastal sand dunes that have been enriched with heavy minerals, such as rutile, ilmenite and zircon, over millennia. The primary mineralisation is rutile, a high-grade titanium dioxide mineral, which is often found in these sedimentary sands. These deposits are characterized by a high degree of continuity and significant thickness.

Reserves  
Total proven and probable reserves as at December 31, 2023, were estimated at 30.06-million tonnes grading 1.29% rutile, 0.83% ilmenite, and 0.11% zircon.

Resources  
Total measured resources as at December 31, 2023, were estimated at 41.85-million tonnes grading 0.99% rutile, 0.07% zircon, 0.48% ilmenite and 2.67% heavy minerals. Indicated resources were estimated at 103.53-million tonnes grading 0.91% rutile, 0.08% zircon, 0.57% ilmenite and 3.22% heavy minerals. Inferred resources were estimated at 123.32-million tonnes grading 0.71% rutile, 0.07% zircon, 0.61% ilmenite and 3.52% heavy minerals.

Type of Mine
Openpit.

Mining Method  
Dredge and dry mining methods.

Major Infrastructure/Equipment  
Operations include four wet concentrator plants, a mineral separation plant and associated infrastructure, residential camps for senior and management staf, as well as a dedicated port facility.

Prospects  
Sierra Rutile is investigating the possibility of draining the Mogbweno pond (the site of historic dredge mining adjacent to the mineral separation plant) and retreating tailings as a feed supplement to the mineral separation plant. Mogbwemo offers the potential to reduce operating costs and increase Area 1’s mine life. However, the timing of any investment is contingent on improved market conditions and continuation of appropriate fiscal arrangements.

Contact Details 
Sierra Rutile
Tel +61 8 6251 5555

Sources
Sierra Rutile. Website: https://sierra-rutile.com/