As the Australian mining company Base Titanium prepares to exit its operations in Kwale by the end of 2024, it is making significant strides in environmental rehabilitation, particularly in preserving endangered plant species.

Among these efforts, the company has successfully regenerated Euphorbia tanaensis, a species on the brink of extinction.

According to the company's Compliance and Administration Superintendent Clapperton Ngome, the plant is now only found at Base nursery after it was successfully regenerated.

"We were entrusted with the plant after it was accidentally uprooted during the construction of a road.We were able to save the plant and have even generated more seedlings," said Mr Ngome.

Speaking to journalists during a site tour in August, Mr Ngome highlighted the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

"Since we began mining in 2013, we have been proactively uprooting various species of trees and nurturing them in our nursery. This ensures their survival and prevents them from becoming extinct," Ngome explained.

Base Titanium, which has been mining ilmenite, rutile, and zircon in the region since 2013, has employed over 200 local residents to care for the nursery.

This approach not only aids in ecological restoration, but also supports the local economy.

"Our community involvement is crucial. We are creating job opportunities while simultaneously restoring the environment," Mr Ngome added.

The company’s rehabilitation efforts are multifaceted. Alongside tree regeneration, Base Titanium has initiated the process of filling and restoring sand dunes affected by mining activities.

Base Titanium External Affairs General Manager Simon Walls stated that they have already rehabilitated the southern dune, and similar work is currently underway in the central and northern dunes.

"Our goal is to ensure that areas impacted by mining are restored in a safe and sustainable manner," Mr Walls said.

He emphasized the company’s dedication to enhancing the landscape.

"We are eager to rehabilitate the mined land and ensure it is in even better condition than it was before," he said.

The rehabilitation process is expected to take one year to complete, followed by a ten-year monitoring period to guarantee effective restoration.

Since the initiation of restoration activities from 2014 to 2018, Base Titanium has invested approximately USD 55,000 in rehabilitating the central dune alone.

The company is also focusing on a 1,012-hectare area in Maumba Nguluku, with a projected rehabilitation cost of USD 25,000.

Despite the positive developments, some local concerns have arisen regarding the suitability of the rehabilitated land for agriculture.

However, the company has robustly dismissed these claims.

"We have conducted soil tests, and the results are promising. Several agricultural products, including mangoes, bananas, and maize, are thriving in the rehabilitated areas," Mr Ngome stated.

The company’s environmental initiatives come at a crucial time, as the local community becomes increasingly aware of the importance of ecological preservation.

"It's essential for companies operating in our region to take responsibility for the environment. Base Titanium's efforts are commendable and set a precedent for other mining companies," said a local farmer during the tour.

As the deadline for their exit approaches, Base Titanium remains focused on ensuring that their legacy in Kwale is one of environmental stewardship and community support.

"Our commitment to the environment and local communities is unwavering. We are determined to leave Kwale in a better state than we found it," Mr Ngome asserted.

The company’s initiatives align with global best practices in mining and environmental management.

By prioritising rehabilitation and engaging with local communities, Base Titanium is paving the way for sustainable mining operations that can serve as a model for the industry.

The company’s work is a reminder that economic development does not have to come at the expense of the environment.

Instead, with careful planning and community involvement, it can lead to a more sustainable future for both the land and its people.