A major chapter of uncertainty has officially closed along the coastal dunes of northern Mozambique. Irish mining giant Kenmare Resources has secured a landmark agreement with the Mozambican government, renewing its mandate to operate the world-renowned Moma titanium mine until 2044. The deal unlocks hundreds of millions of dollars in fresh investments while delivering a significantly larger share of the resource wealth back to the host nation.
Approved by the Council of Ministers on October 13, 2026, and officially delivered to the company on October 29, the green light extends the rights and concessions governed by the mine’s Implementation Agreement (IA). Operating through its subsidiary, Kenmare Moma Processing (Mauritius) Limited, the miner has managed the Moma deposit in Nampula province since 2007. Today, the massive complex supplies approximately 6% of the world’s titanium feedstocks, feeding vital raw materials into global supply chains for everything from premium paints and plastics to ceramic coatings.
The agreement follows a high-stakes interim period after the original 20-year pact expired in December 2024. While operations continued uninterrupted under legacy rules, prolonged negotiations raised the specter of international arbitration. The newly struck deal seamlessly replaces the old terms with a modernized framework designed to balance long-term commercial growth with greater national return.
“Kenmare is delighted that the extension of its rights and concessions under Moma’s IA has been approved. The extension provides Kenmare with the certainty needed to continue investing in Moma and supporting our host communities, while continuing to generate returns for all stakeholders.” Tom Hickey, Managing Director, Kenmare Resources
At the core of the refreshed deal is a restructured fiscal model. The previous flat 1% royalty on gross revenues will progressively increase over the next two decades: rising to 3% through 2029, stepping up to 4% between 2030 and 2034, and capping at 5% from 2035 through 2044. Additionally, a 20% withholding tax will apply to offshore service providers once the final addendum takes effect.
In exchange for these long-term concessions, Kenmare has committed to a sweeping $200 million capital investment program in equipment, infrastructure, and processing plant upgrades over the extension window. Crucially, the agreement also establishes a domestic processing mechanism, allowing the Mozambican state, or designated third parties, to purchase up to 20% of Moma’s annual output at market rates to drive local industrialization.
Beyond industrial footprint and tax receipts, the pact prioritizes human capital and community prosperity. Kenmare has pledged $50 million toward targeted social responsibility projects focused on education, health, transport, clean water, energy, and the incubation of local small-to-medium businesses.
“We have mineral resources capable of supporting production for more than 100 years. The agreed changes strike an appropriate balance between Kenmare’s interests and a greater contribution to Mozambique.” Tom Hickey, Managing Director, Kenmare Resources.
With formal approval in hand, Kenmare and government officials are completing the final paperwork to submit the addendum to the Administrative Court. The deal provides the stability needed for decades of production, proving that long-term resource partnerships can adapt to meet the evolving demands of host nations while keeping global supply chains moving.
