Kenya's titanium exports are expected to remain steady in 2017, the industry said on Friday.
Base Titanium, which operates the Kwale Mineral Sands project, said in Nairobi that it projects to export 467,000 tonnes of ilmenite, which contains titanium oxide.
"Kenya's titanium exports are expected to remain steady in 2017, as we have reached optimum production levels," Base Titanium General Manager Joe Schwarz said.
The mining firm, which is a subsidiary of Australian mining giant Base Resources, exports all its production as there is no demand locally.
Schwarz said that globally, the titanium oxide pigment industry has firmed up over the past year.
"Consequently ilmenite prices are expected to stabilize at the current healthy levels for the foreseeable future," he added.
He noted that most of the mineral will be sold in China. Over 95 percent of global ilmenite production is used in the manufacture of pigment which is a key ingredient in the production of paint.
This year, Base Titanium also plans to export 91,000 tons of rutile, which contains over 95 percent titanium oxide.
Schwarz said that despite strong global demand, the large inventory of high grade titanium oxide feedstock has resulted in a moderate price improvement for rutile.
"However there are increasing signs of an emerging supply deficit in this high-grade sector indicating upward price pressure in the second half of 2017," the general manager added.
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