Base Resources Limited (LON:BSE) (ASX:BSE) highlighted a successful ramp-up of mining and processing operations as it released an activities update for the three months ended 30 September.
The company noted that its Kwale mineral sands operations in Kenya advanced at the South Dune orebody following a transition from a depleted orebody, Central Dune, at the end of June.
As scheduled, mining began on the northern fringes of South Dune and, although they started in lower grades this improved throughout the quarter as operations moved further into the orebody.
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Base said that mining rates in the quarter were equivalent to 19.6mln tonnes per year, above the targeted 18mln tonne rate.
It also highlighted supportive market forces with ongoing supply constraints elsewhere factoring into stronger rutile and ilmenite prices.
At the same time, Base told investors that the pre-development Toliara mineral sands project, in Madagascar, has seen “sound progress” on all workstreams and a definitive feasibility study remains on-schedule to complete in December.