Kenmare Resources PLC is forging ahead with a significant upgrade to its largest mining plant in northern Mozambique, a move designed to secure the long-term future of its Moma titanium minerals mine. The company has begun connecting two new, high-capacity dredges and a new feed preparation unit to its wet concentrator plant A (WCPA).
This upgrade is critical for the plant’s upcoming transition to the vast Nataka ore zone, which holds approximately 70% of the mine’s total mineral resources. The Nataka zone is expected to provide more than two decades of production, a key factor in Kenmare’s strategic planning.
The ore at Nataka contains higher levels of “slimes” that, if not managed, can hamper mining efficiency. The new equipment, including a specialized feed preparation module, is designed to handle this challenge and increase mining rates.
The capital cost for the entire project remains at an estimated $341 million, which includes a new tailings storage facility and other infrastructure in the Nataka area. Kenmare anticipates that around 80% of this capital will be spent and deployed by the end of 2025.
WCP A has temporarily halted production for an estimated three to four weeks to allow for the installation of the new equipment. The company stated that this production pause was factored into its 2025 guidance, which it remains on track to meet. Kenmare expects the plant to be operating at a capacity of 3,500 tonnes per hour by the end of 2025.
“This upgrade work will enable WCP A to mine successfully in the large Nataka ore zone, which is the key to Moma’s future production,” said Chief Operations Officer Ben Baxter. “Our projects team and experienced contractors have planned this work meticulously and we are focused on executing it safely, on time and on budget.”
The transition of WCP A from its current location in Namalope to Nataka is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026 and take approximately 18 months to complete.
