Company renews hopes of titanium mining at the Coast

By Patrick Beja

The recent entry of an Australian company in Coast Province has elicited excitement over the possible start of titanium mining.

The Base Titanium project, based in Kwale district, replaces Tiomin Resources of Canada and has made its presence in the Maumba and Nguluku designated mining zones felt to the excitement of locals.

Although Coast and other parts of the country have other minerals, the Kwale titanium project is billed as Kenya’s vehicle into the modern mining era.

With reserves estimated at 140 million tonnes in the central and south dunes alone, Kwale is expected to make Kenya a major producer of titanium. Kwale is projected to produce 330,000 tonnes of ilmenite, 75,000 tonnes of rutile, and 40,000 tonnes of zircon per year.

Other substantial titanium deposits at the Coast have been identified at Vipingo, Kilifi and Mambrui.

It is expected that construction of the processing factory could take off from as early as next year.

Kwale District geologist, Fredrick Wafula, is optimistic that titanium mining in Kwale would turn around the region’s economy and employ over 300 people.

Long List

Residents, too, have a long list of expectations from the titanium-mining project.

At Maumba many families, churches and the local primary school were relocated from the designated mining zone about five years ago and those still around expect to be compensated and moved by June next year.

"As youth, we expect the mining project to generate jobs for us," said Anthony Mulinge.

Mrs Magdalene Maithya expects compensation for her land, other property, and relocation. "Buffalos from the nearby Gogoni forest have invaded Maumba after many families were relocated. Our harvests are low as our crops are being destroyed by buffalos and baboons," she says.Another villager Mrs Mapenzi Mwangala says she has to escort her three children to Magaoni Primary School because of the danger of roaming buffalos. "We want the project to start so as to create jobs and also minimise the human-wildlife conflict at Maumba," she said.

Former Maumba Primary School teacher David Mwangangi said there was excitement about the entry of Base Titanium, as it was hoped a new primary school would be built to replace Maumba.

More than 380 pupils were transferred to different schools to pave way for mining activities. GeoIogists are also looking at the possibility of finding gold following some traces at Kuranze, Mwache, and Gulanze.