Kenmare Resources plc ("Kenmare" or "the Company")
Update on engineering matters previously notified to the market
17th July, 2008
Kenmare owns and operates the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine located in northern Mozambique. Kenmare has been commissioning the mine and gradually increasing its production rate since the handover of the Mineral Separation Plant (MSP) in August 2007.
Kenmare announces the resolution of the following engineering matters at the Mine:
- Dredge motors - Kenmare has completed the installation of new dredge motors, now designed and manufactured to appropriate specifications. This allows greater throughput of concentrate to the MSP.
- Vibrating screens - throughput at the MSP had been limited by the screens initially installed. These have now been replaced and are working to plan.
- Electricity - previously unstable power supply issues have been addressed by Kenmare and no longer have a material adverse impact on production.
- Zircon and rutile circuits - these are now producing minerals to specification and the contractor is working on achieving the agreed recovery rate.
- Roaster plant - the contractor has still to complete this facility. The roaster plant improves the quality of certain finished products. However, given strong market demand and the good quality of minerals produced to date, this has not been a commercial disadvantage.
No new commissioning issues have arisen and the production ramp-up is ongoing.
The entire cost of installation, transport and replacement of faulty equipment is covered under warranty by the construction contract with the Multiplex-Bateman Joint Venture.
The resolution of these matters has contributed to production in June being the highest achieved to date and shipments to customers continue.
For more information:
Kenmare Resources plc
Michael Carvill, Managing Director
Mob: + 353 87 674 0110
Deirdre Corcoran, Company Secretary
Tel: +353 1 6710411
Jim Milton
Tel: +353 1 498 0345
Mob: + 353 86 255 8400
Conduit PR Ltd
Jane Stacey/Leesa Peters
Tel: +44 207 429 6606
Mob: +44 7922 923306