The district of Pebane, Zambezia province, central Mozambique, exported just over 372,000 tonnes of ilmenite between 2020 and 2022, as a result of the growth in heavy sand mining in that part of central Mozambique.
In the same period, the main destination for this resource was the Chinese market, which became the biggest buyer.
These figures were achieved through the implementation of the Tazetta Resources project, which has been exploiting ilmenite and zircon in Quichanga since March 2019.
The data was obtained from the company’s latest annual reports, to which “Notícias” had access.
These advances demonstrate the potential that exists in Pebane, which opens up space for further growth in the sector.
In 2020 the export of ilmenite reached 102.9 thousand tonnes, with an increase of more than 30 tonnes in 2021, when the volume indicated 138.1 thousand, and in 2022, 132 thousand tonnes.
In the first year, monthly production was 9,000 tonnes, in 2021 around 11,000 tonnes and in 2022 the figure reached 9,000 tonnes.
In conclusion, the results point to 367,735 tonnes of ilmenite and 32,255 tonnes of zircon in the three years analysed.
It is considered that the volume of production, which tends to increase, could contribute to the affirmation of the sector, with the potential to attract new partners.
The implementation of this project is also expected to contribute to the development of the district.
Ilmenite is used in the manufacture of titanium dioxide pigment and titanium metal.
Titanium dioxide pigment has a high opacity and bright whiteness and is used in paints, paper and plastics.
Tazetta Resources is a sole shareholder company with the main corporate object of carrying out prospecting, exploration, production, processing and commercialisation of mining products.
With an estimated lifespan of 15 years, the project is the result of an investment of 16 million US dollars by Russian investors.
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