By ALLOYS MUSYOKA
As the clock ticks towards mining closure by Base Titanium mining company in December 2024 at its Kwale mineral sand project mass exit of staff began in earnest.
The company management says its staff are getting green pasture elsewhere in preparation of closing the project.
The latest staff to exit was Media Liaison Coordinator Stanley Mwahanga who has served the company for more than five and half years resigned recently according to Ali Masemo the company’s government relation superintendent.
His position was taken by Abdulkarim Kuchengwa who was serving as a social worker at Base Titanium.
“You are my good friends and I am happy because I know we will work together,” said Kuchengwa.
Addressing Kwale journalists during a would be a goodbye meeting for Mwahanga who was absent, Masemo said that the company has seen many of its staff leaving for other jobs in mining related fields.
Some of the staff he said are already in Zambia, Congo and South Africa among other countries after exiting Base Titanium whose operations are coming to an end.
“Stanely is leaving the company for his personal reason effective May 1, 2024. It is through his style of leadership and how he has worked with Kwale journalists that has led us to this far. The legacy he has left will be continued as Kuchengwa takes over,” said Masemo.
Stanely, a veteran journalist who has worked in the Standard media for many years before working at the Kilifi county governors press during former governor Kingi reign told journalists that his term had come to an end.
“April 25 2024 will be my last day at the Base Titanium. Five and half years and it has been an incredible journey working with Kwale journalists. Regards,” Stanely message read.
Kuchengwa will be reporting directly to Base Titanium mining company external general manager Simon Wall, this is different from Stanley although Masemo insisted that was so because Simon wanted to be involved on all matters communication of the company.
Masemo said that by the end of December 2024 the company will only retain 200 staff to oversee rehabilitation activities among others as the rest go home.
The company’s Compliance, Health and Safety Superintendent · Base Titanium Limited Clapton Ngome said that many staff are leaving the company for employment elsewhere which is commendable in preparation of Base Titanium closure.
He said that already the company has set strategic areas for over 700 staff counselling sessions.
“The program is meant to prepare our staff how they will cope with life outside the company once their time to leave comes, especially by the end of December 2024,” he said.
Kwale titanium miner Base Titanium’s Australian parent firm is set to be acquired by an American mineral resources firm Energy Fuels in a Sh31. 8 billion (375 million Australian dollars) cash-and-stock deal.
