Marula Mining, listed in both the UK and South Africa, has named local professional Bernard Kiprotich as the mine manager for the Larisoro manganese mine in Kenya.
The mine is operated by Marula’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Muchai Mining Kenya.
Kiprotich’s appointment comes as Marula Mining partners with Kenyan manganese mine operator Gems and Industrial Minerals to acquire new processing and mining equipment for the Larisoro mine and embark on an exploration program.
Under the mineral dealer’s trading license obtained by Muchai, refurbishment and upgrades to existing processing equipment at the site are already underway.
Marula plans to initially purchase increased volumes of manganese ore mined and processed from the Larisoro mine, selling it under new offtake agreements.
The agreement between Marula and Gems and Industrial Minerals allows Marula to earn an initial 60% commercial interest in the operational Larisoro mine, which has been in operation since 2012.
Kiprotich, equipped with hands-on experience from various opencast quarrying and underground mining operations in Kenya over the past five years, brings valuable expertise to his new role.
He holds a degree in mining and mineral processing engineering from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Kiprotich will collaborate with the geological team, led by Collins Aseto, and Marula’s East Africa GM, Edward Ruheni, to ensure the efficient and timely operation of the Larisoro mine.
