The Australian company has announced it is in the final phases of environmental rehabilitation after nearly 10 years of mining in Kwale County.
Speaking during a tree-planting exercise organized by the Kenya Navy, Simon Wall, the General Manager of External Affairs, stated that Base Titanium has fully rehabilitated the Northern Dune, while the Central Dune is approximately 75% complete.
The Kenya Navy partnered with the mining company to promote environmental conservation by planting over 1,500 trees, an initiative that contributes to the ongoing rehabilitation program.
According to Colonel Benson Karuimbo, the Head of the Kenya Naval Training College, such activities are not new to the Navy, which runs a restoration initiative known as the Environmental Soldiers Programme aimed at addressing environmental challenges.
“The environment will take care of us only if we take care of it too,” he emphasized.
With 100 soldiers participating in the exercise, Karuimbo revealed their initial goal was to have each soldier plant 100 trees, totaling 10,000 trees. However, this goal had to be revised due to space limitations.
“Space availability has forced us to adjust the number from our initial goal,” he said.
Reaffirming their commitment to environmental conservation, Karuimbo added that tree planting is essential for creating a healthier space for living organisms to thrive.
The Kenya Navy organized the activity as part of preparations for its 60th anniversary, celebrated annually on December 14. They also emphasized the importance of engaging with communities to strengthen relationships.
Simon Wall expressed gratitude to the Kenya Navy for participating in the restoration efforts being undertaken by Base Titanium.
Base Titanium, located in Kwale County, has contributed approximately 65% to Kenya’s mineral export economy. However, the company is set to cease operations in December 2024 due to the depletion of mining pits.
The company, which has mined ilmenite, zircon, and rutile across four areas—Mkurumudzi, Northern, Southern, and Central Dunes—prides itself on rehabilitating over 500 hectares of land. It is currently focused on reforestation and preparing the land for post-mining opportunities.
The rehabilitation process includes reshaping the land, restoring the topsoil that was extracted and set aside during mining, and planting grass and trees. The reshaped land accounts for the original drainage systems to avoid disrupting the livelihoods of surrounding communities.
Wall noted that Base Titanium has established a tree nursery with over 280 indigenous plant species as part of its goal to restore the land to its original state—or make it even better.
He also expressed interest in further collaboration with the Navy on environmental conservation, noting that the rehabilitation process will yield long-term benefits, as results are not immediate.
Addressing the impact of the company’s closure on employees, Wall stated that they have been equipped with various skills to support them in their future endeavors.
Base Titanium has announced that it expects to complete the rehabilitation process by June 20, 2025.
