By Nuru Salim
Base Titanium has intensified its environmental restoration efforts as the company approaches the end to its mining operations in Kwale County by December 2024.
Since commencing mining in 2013, the company has focused on extracting rutile, ilmenite, and zircon, precious minerals that have positioned the firm as a key player, contributing approximately 65% of Kenya’s mining industry by value.
The firmโs land rehabilitation initiatives, now in their advanced stages, aim to restore mined-out areas to sustainable ecological and social conditions.
The efforts include reforestation, enhancing biodiversity, and creating agricultural opportunities for host communities.
According to Simon Wall, Base Titaniumโs External Affairs, General Manager mine closure planning began before operations started, with rehabilitation conducted in phases alongside ongoing mining activities.
โWe are working diligently to reshape and restore the land by returning topsoil, planting grass, and preparing for tree planting across all areas. By June 17, 2025, the groundwork for rehabilitation will be complete,โ Wall stated.
He added that over 500 hectares in the South and Central Dunes have been successfully rehabilitated, with ongoing efforts in the northern mining zones.
As part of the effort, Base Titanium has planted over 800 indigenous trees from its nursery, which houses more than 280 species critical for reforestation.
He spoke during a visit by Kenya Navy officers at the rehabilitated site who planted over 1500 trees during a joint environmental event at the South Dune mine site.
Colonel Benson Karuimbo of the Kenya Naval Training College said that they have partnered with Base Titanium as part of its Environmental Soldier Programme.
The tree-planting exercise marked the lead-up to the Navyโs 60th anniversary, which will be celebrated in December 2024.
Karuimbo emphasized the importance of collective climate action and acknowledged the mining sectorโs role in addressing environmental challenges.
He acknowledged that the mining sector presents unique environmental challenges and commended Base Titaniumโs commitment to mitigating the through comprehensive rehabilitation plans.
In addition to tree planting, Colonel Karuimbo said the Kenya Navy is keen to integrate lessons from the initiative into its ongoing training programs.
He highlighted that environmental conservation is now a critical component of military education, aimed at fostering a generation of environmentally conscious service members.
The Kenya Navy has made the tree-planting campaign a central feature of its anniversary celebrations, with plans to plant tens of thousands of trees in degraded areas nationwide.
“This exercise is not only symbolic of our role as custodians of the environment but also a practical step in addressing the urgent need for climate resilience,” Karuimbo said.
Base Titaniumโs commitment to environmental stewardship also extends to creating long-term sustainability for the land post-mining.
Re-grassing and reshaping mined areas into natural dune formations are among the techniques used to restore the landโs natural drainage and biodiversity.
โOur goal is to ensure the land is safe, stable, and supports diverse ecological, economic, and social uses for future generations,โ Simon Wall affirmed. 
Amid the achievements, the company is also navigating the uncertainty of winding down operations with Wall acknowledging the anxiety among employees as the mine closure draws near.
โMining here ends in a few weeks, and this is a hard time for our staff. We are focused on supporting them to transfer their skills and experience to new opportunities after Base Titanium,โ he said.
Looking beyond current operations, Base Titanium has obtained a new prospecting license for an area west of its current site in Kwale.
Wall disclosed that community sensitization is underway to explain the exploration process and ensure alignment with the companyโs standards.
While the prospecting phase wonโt prevent the closure of the current mine, it offers hope for future mining opportunities in the region, potentially within the next 3โ5 years.
Recognized as a flagship project under Kenyaโs Vision 2030, Base Titanium remains committed to fostering sustainable practices while contributing to the countryโs economic development.
Through collaboration with stakeholders and innovative environmental restoration techniques, the company aims to leave a lasting positive impact on Kwale County even as its mining chapter comes to a close.
