Base Resources Ltd (LON:BSE, ASX:BSE) said it completed a pre-feasibility study (Kwale North PFS) on the potential for the North Dune and Bumamani deposits to extend the mine life at its Kwale mineral sands operation in Kenya.
The study concluded that it was not currently viable to mine all of these deposits mainly due to the low heavy mineral grade, high land acquisition costs and elevated slimes content and associated tailings disposal costs.
However, the African mineral sands producer said it is looking at the potential for mining a higher-grade sub-set of the North Dune and Bumamani deposits, targeting low capital investment and the use of existing processing plant and tailings disposal capacity.
It expects the results of this assessment by mid-2021.
Kwale accounts for around two thirds of Kenya’s mining industry by mineral output value.