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More communities to benefit from Moma mine following plant relocation

27th November 2020

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah

journalist

     

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Through constant involvement in and development of its surrounding communities, titanium minerals producer Kenmare Resources notes that its increased ilmenite production, and the subsequent effect on Mozambique’s exports, will have significant benefits for the company, its host communities and the Mozambique economy.

“Kenmare’s Moma mine is expected to increase production to 1.2-million tons a year of ilmenite and associated by-products from 2021. While Kenmare’s production accounted for about 6% of Mozambique’s exports in 2019, the company’s contribution to the country’s exports is expected to increase and provide greater opportunities and additional benefits for all its stakeholders,” says Kenmare MD Michael Carvill.

With more than 1 400 direct employees, of whom 96% are Mozambican, the company is focused on creating opportunities for citizens through employment and skills development.

Carvill notes that, last year, Kenmare spent about $700 000 on training and skills development of employees.

“In 2004, the Kenmare Moma Development Association (KMAD) was established as a nonprofit development organisation. KMAD was developed to support the Moma mine’s nine host communities near the Namalope operations,” he explains.

With the onset and spread of the Covid-19 virus, Kenmare provided additional support to surrounding communities by donating eight ventilators and 50 continuous positive airway pressure machines to the provincial health authorities in Nampula, which is the city nearest to Moma. These machines were used to strengthen the capacity of the healthcare facilities treating people infected with Covid-19.

“We also donated digital thermometers, personal protective equipment and hand sanitisation equipment to community health centres in the areas surrounding the mine. To the villages themselves, we donated hand-sanitisation kits and more than 3 000 masks, as well as raised awareness through our KMAD-supported local radio stations to educate the community on how to prevent the spread of the virus.”

With the relocation of wet concentrator plant (WCP) B, KMAD has extended its support to communities living close to the Pilivili operations, with development initiatives, such as the construction of schools and clean water supply systems, under way.

This is in line with KMAD’s three core focuses of economic development and livelihoods, healthcare development and education development.

“We consult with representatives from each of our host communities to formulate three-yearly strategic plans to ensure that the company is focusing on the initiatives that will maximise the benefits and opportunities for people living in Moma’s vicinity,” says Carvill.

WCP B Relocation

Carvill says “the exemplary organisation, hard work and commitment of our team” have enabled Kenmare to continue producing and shipping its products safely throughout the pandemic.

“However, like almost all mining companies, we have been affected by Covid-19, primarily in terms of travel restrictions and delays in equipment manufacturing, owing to lockdowns during the relocation of WCP B. Nevertheless, we were delighted to complete its relocation safely in September and production started at Pilivili in October. This was ahead of our initial target, which was the middle of the fourth quarter,” he explains.

The 7 100 t mining plant and its dredge were safely relocated to a new ore zone. The plant was the heaviest piece of mining equipment moved in Africa to date. It weighs the equivalent of 550 double decker buses and has a height equivalent to that of a seven storey building.

Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, Kenmare experienced delays with the delivery of some pieces of equipment, and contingency plans needed to be implemented. This involved relocating diesel-powered electric generators to Pilivili to provide power at the new site until the overhead powerline became functional. The plans also included arranging for trucks to convey the heavy mineral concentrate to the mineral separation plant until the pipeline became operational.

“This will mean a slight increase in operating costs in the short term, but these measures have enabled us to start production at the earliest opportunity,” states Carvill.

Edited by Nadine James
Features Deputy Editor

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