Kwale based Australian mining firm, Base Titanium, is striving to preserve the environment by championing environmental conservation initiatives in schools.
Base Titanium owns and manages Kwale Operation, a high-grade mineral sands mine rich in rutile, ilmenite and zircon, which commenced production in 2013.
Last week the mining firm simply known as ‘Base’ was recognised for its Social Impact by the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 100 Awards’ as category winners in Environmental Conservation Initiatives 2022.
Mwanaharusi Khamis, Manager Community Programmes, says Base Titanium is committed towards promoting environmental awareness in communities and learning institutions around the mine site.
Khamis says the award highlights Base’s commitment to minimising environmental impact and sustaining environmentally responsible behaviour in their operations and within the immediate community.
She says they are preserving the environment through responsible mining adding that Base Titanium is committed to operating in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.
Khamis who is leading the environmental sustainability activities of the mine sites says they have put in place an Environmental Education Programme (EEP) targeting host communities and learners in primary schools, secondary levels, special schools and colleges.
She says the programme has also been able to empower and inspire young environmentalists as well as support the establishment of environmental clubs in learning institutions.
“We are providing a platform for students to learn about environmental management through teaching and field trips,” she said, adding that the mining company is investing in environmental protection in mining zones.
She says the programme involves 40 schools with key areas of assessment in which the schools compete in waste management and innovation under the 4Rs (Reduce, Refuse, Reuse, and Recycle), tree nursery establishment and management, tree planting, natural resources conservation – wildlife, energy and water management in the school.
Other areas include innovative agriculture-vertical gardening, use of recycled waste materials, and composite manure, environmental conservation and innovation and outstanding individual students replicating the above activities at their homes.
The mining official encouraged schools to invest in restoration and conservation of the environment to fight the adverse effects of climate change in the region.
“Schools should spearhead environmental protection campaigns to mitigate the effects of climate change in the country,” she said.
Khamis says the mining firm aims at planting more than 30, 000 trees (indigenous and fruit trees) in various primary and secondary schools in Kinango sub county.
She highlighted that Base Titanium operates a large indigenous tree nursery and arboretum to conserve and propagate trees of conservation importance.
In collaboration with various specialists, Base Titanium also regularly undertakes habitat surveys to improve knowledge of the region’s rich biodiversity.
She says the tree planting initiative will support carbon sequestration and help contribute towards the 10 per cent forest cover as envisioned by the government.
By Hussein Abdullahi
