Titanium mozambican mine increased by 12% production

A production of immenite in the mozambican mine of Moma increased 12% in the third quarter, to 233,600 tons, announced mining company Kenmare, which revised downward the annual forecast claiming operational difficulties while negotiating continuity with the government.

In a production report released today, the Irish company, which holds that concession, one of the largest titanium mines in the world, states that the production of Ilmenite (main product and titanium source) increased 59% compared to the previous quarter, benefiting from the growth of the volumes of ore extracted in the three concentration units in operation in Moma, Nampula province, northern Mozambique.

The production of heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) reached 334,100 tonnes between July and September, plus 12% more than in the same period of 2025, while the production of zircon increased to 13,000 tonnes and the production of rutile to 2,200 tonnes.

“ Illmenitis production increased substantially in the third quarter of 2026, increasing almost 60% compared to the second quarter, due to the increase in the volumes of ore excavated in the three concentration units,” said the company's executive director, Tom Hickey, quoted in the document.

However, operational recovery was not sufficient to avoid a downward review of annual targets.

“ Due to continuous commissioning challenges at WCP The [new unit], now we hope that the production of Illmenite in 2026 will be between 710,000 and 750,000 tonnes, compared to about 800,000 tonnes previously foreseen”, the manager said.

The company also expects shipments in 2026 to reach around 1.05 million tonnes below the initial projections, attributing the revision mainly to delays in other ports during the third quarter, which limited the time available for loading ships in Moma.

The report also highlights advances in the work for valuing critical minerals existing in the Mozambican warehouse.

“ We concluded during the period a Previability Study to investigate the potential to generate higher value from rare earth elements present in the Moma deposit. We are now starting a Definitive Viability Study, together with ongoing business discussions with potential purchasing partners,” Tom Hickey said.

According to the company, although market conditions remain weak for titanium minerals, the average prices received improved compared to the previous quarter due to a higher value-added sales profile, while the international zircon market shows signs of recovery.

The Moma mine provides around 6% of the world's supply of titanium minerals and reserves with an estimated service life of over 100 years, according to data previously provided by the company.

In today's report, Kenmare also confirms the interest of International Resources Holdings (IHR) in acquiring the company from the United Arab Emirates, adding that the talks continue.

Tom Hickey also stressed the importance of the ongoing negotiations with the Mozambican Government for Kenmare's continuity in that concession.

“Guaranteeing the renewal of the Moma Implementation Agreement remains a key priority and we are focused on a conclusion of this process in the short term,” Tom Hickey said about negotiations between the company and the Mozambican State to renew the agreement governing the tax and operational conditions of the Moma mining concession.

The company had also revealed in May that it maintained “constructive” negotiations with the Mozambican State to renew the agreement, which expired in December 2024, although the mine continues to operate under the conditions previously established.