Battery metals miner Marula Mining’s Kenyan representative company has been awarded a mineral dealer’s trading licence, granting it the right to buy, sell and export manganese ores.

Marula considers the granting of the licence as an important step in the investment of the Larisoro manganese mine, in Kenya.

The licence is valid until December 31 and is renewable on a yearly basis.

Manganese ores to be bought by Marula under the licence will initially include the planned increased volumes of manganese ore mined and processed from the Larisoro mine. Marula will then sell the ore under new offtake agreements.

The licence also permits Marula to buy manganese ores from other Kenyan mining companies, which will be undertaken as part of the company’s broader strategy to position itself as a major player in the manganese sector.

“This is a significant milestone for us in Kenya as it allows us to move forward with our strategy in the manganese sector, not only at the Larisoro mine but also at other prospective manganese mines and projects in Kenya.

“It also allows us to further cultivate and strengthen additional partnerships with the local mining sector and local communities,” comments Marula CEO Jason Brewer.

Marula has interests in the Larisoso mine; the Blesberg lithium and tantalum mine and Korridor lithium project, in South Africa; the Kinusi copper mine, the Nyorinyori graphite and Bagamoyo graphite projects, in Tanzania; and the Nkombwa Hill project, in Zambia.

Marula signed a term sheet agreement with Kenyan company and operator of the Larisoro mine Gems and Industrial Minerals for an initial 60% commercial interest in the mine, which has been operational since 2012.

Larisoro has produced manganese ore with an average manganese content of 33.4% over the past six years.

The ore is processed to create a product with more than 37% manganese, which is typically sold in Asian markets.