Base Resources posted today July 25, its Q2 operating balance sheet, reporting an increase in ilmenite, rutile and zircon production at its Kwale mine in Kenya. 

Between April and June this year, the company hit record rutile production of 24, 451 tons, up from the 21, 634 tons a quarter earlier. Meanwhile, ilmenite production increased from 111, 630 tons to 114 773 tons and zircon output grew by over 100 tons to 9, 286 tons.

The company said, rutile sales remained steady compared to the previous quarter (25, 635 tons), while ilmenite sales decreased to 107, 170 tons from 140, 665 tons. Zircon sales also declined to 9, 007 tons from 9, 884 tons.

Despite this significant drop in ilmenite sales during the quarter, higher prices for rutile and zircon increased average revenue per ton from $314 to $376. Whole-year production guidance includes 88, 000 t to 93, 000 t of rutile, 420, 000 t to 450, 000 t of ilmenite and 32, 000 t to 37, 000 t of zircon.