Mozambique could become a major producer of the rare metal titanium as the result of a mining project that has just won $20m backing from the World Bank. For Mozambique to take its place among the world's key world mineral producers would be a massive step forward given that it is one of the poorest countries in Africa.
An Irish mining company, Kenmare Resources, is putting the finishing touches to a $200m mineral sands project in one of its poorest regions, Nampula Province in the north-east of the country.
Mineral sands comprise mainly rare rutile, from which titanium is derived, and zirconium.
Scarce
All three metals are in demand in many industries, but especially in electronics.
Titanium is used for many purposes ranging from coating aircraft, turning paper and paint white, to helping women with untreatable ovarian cancer.
It is stronger and lighter than steel and is particularly popular in aviation.
Beneficial
Kenmare Resources' project is called Moma.
It has received a $20m guarantee from the World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).
The hope is that when it is fully developed, it should establish Mozambique as one of the world's foremost producers of titanium.
It should also bring much needed infrastructural development to this impoverished region, and should create around 2,000 jobs, directly and indirectly, when it is up and running.
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