10 Mar, 2021

COVID-19 outbreak hits Kenmare's Mozambican titanium mine

Kenmare Resources PLC flagged an increasing number of COVID-19 cases at the Moma titanium mine in Mozambique, with 177 people currently in isolation. In December 2020, the company reported 25 positive cases.

The majority of the cases are asymptomatic. The company said March 10 that production continued normally as it mitigates the impact of a limited workforce.

In addition to physical distancing and hygiene protocols, Kenmare has initiated blanket testing of the site's workforce every two weeks. The company may reduce this interval to identify and isolate positive cases more quickly.

Kenmare said it will provide a further update in its preliminary 2020 financials March 24.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, heavy mineral concentrate production from Moma increased 45% year over year to 384,700 tonnes while full-year 2020 output remained stable at 1.2 million tonnes.

READ MORE: Sign up for our weekly coronavirus newsletter here, and read our latest coverage on the crisis here.