Exports from Moma mine, one of the world’s largest producers of titanium and zircon, located in the province of Nampula, in northern Mozambique, grew by 4% in 2024, to over one million tonnes.
According to information provided to the market by Kenmare, which operates the mine, shipments of various finished minerals were made last year, namely heavy sands, zircon, ilmenite and rutile.
‘Demand for all types of products remained robust in 2024 and sales are expected to continue to exceed production in 2025,’ said Kenmare, an Irish company that operates in Mozambique through subsidiaries in Mauritius.
The company is one of the world’s largest producers of mineral sands, listed on the London and Dublin stock exchanges, and production in Mozambique accounts for approximately 7 per cent of global titanium raw materials, with customers in more than 15 countries that use its heavy minerals in paints, plastics and ceramics.
‘Kenmare delivered a strong result in 2024, exceeding the mid-point of our production guidance for ilmenite and the upper limit of the guidance ranges for all other products. We also passed the two million hours worked mark,’ said Kenmare’s managing director, Tom Hickey, quoted in the document.
He recalled that in 2024 the mining company paid out around 48 million dollars (3 billion meticals) in dividends and invested 140 million dollars (8.8 billion meticals).
The Moma mine contains reserves of heavy minerals including titanium, ilmenite and rutile, which are used as raw materials to produce titanium dioxide pigment, as well as a relatively high-value zirconium silicate mineral, zircon.
Last December, Kenmare announced that it would not be possible to conclude the renewal of the operation of the Moma mine by 21 December, but would maintain the operation until the agreement with the government was concluded.
‘We are pleased that the government has confirmed our ability to continue operating under the existing terms during this interim period, and that the process can be concluded in an orderly manner. Kenmare has always taken a long-term view of its operations and relationships in Mozambique and is very proud of the significant contribution it has made to the country,’ said the mining company’s managing director, Tom Hickey
At stake is the renewal of the Implementation Agreement for the exploration of Moma, under which Kenmare carries out its mineral processing and export activities. The agreement expired on 21 December and negotiations with the government for a new one have not yet been concluded.
The company had previously assumed that the renewal would be delayed due to the country’s electoral process. Meanwhile, Mozambique’s Agency for the Promotion of Investment and Exports ‘indicated that the company’s existing rights and benefits remain in full force and effect pending the conclusion of the process’, so ‘Kenmare can continue to process minerals and export end products in the same way as it currently does.’
