AMN - SIERRA LEONE: Gangama project in commissioning phase

Sierra Rutile’s Gangama project reached a significant milestone with the completion of plant construction activities and it will shortly enter the final phases of commissioning.

Gangama continues to progress towards the planned start of commercial production, and remains both on time and on budget.

Sierra Rutilehas restarted sales into the titanium metals market. After several years of subdued demand as stockpiles were depleted, the company views this initial order as an encouraging sign that the demand for high-grade titanium feedstock is continuing to strengthen.

Titanium metal is a key growth market for high-grade titanium feedstock. Titanium metal production, for use in aviation, automotive, medical and technological applications, requires a high-grade premium rutile product, and Sierra Rutile has historically been a key supplier to this end market. Titanium metal is valued for its light weight, chemical inertness and durability, providing unmatched performance and durability.

Sierra Rutile CEO John Sisay says: "The completion of the construction phase of Gangama represents a significant de-risking step as the project nears commercial production. Whilst the re-commencement of sales into the titanium metal market marks the re-emergence of a key end market for Sierra Rutile's premium product. We are very pleased to announce these two significant milestones, as they further demonstrate Sierra Rutile's continued track record of delivering on its stated goals. "

Sierra Rutile is a leading, multi-mine mineral sands company, operating world-class assets and developing a portfolio of growth projects in the southwest of Sierra Leone, with its primary commodity mined being natural rutile, a titanium feedstock.

It has an established operating history spanning approximately 50 years and a resource mine life of another 50 years with one of largest natural rutile deposits in the world and a JORC-Compliant Mineral Resource for Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources for the Sierra Rutile mine of over 866 million tonnes. Sierra Rutile expects to be the world's largest primary producer of natural rutile in 2016.

www.sierra-rutile.com

News courtesy of International Mining