Commodity trading firm Minexx has expanded its presence in Africa through a new investment in Kenya’s titanium sector, providing financing and acting as an offtaker for artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) projects.

Speaking to Energy Capital & Power during African Mining Week – which took place on 1-3 October – Mansoor Hamayun, Co-Founder and Chairman of Minexx, revealed that the investment will focus on developing titanium processing facilities to support ASM – helping them access international markets and transition into semi-industrial producers.

“We are seeking new opportunities to formalize ASM operations, invest in them and bring more critical minerals that are in demand on global markets,” he noted.

The investment follows Minexx’s recent $20 million capital injection from Islamic investors, which the firm intends to use to expand Africa’s local value addition potential.

“What’s frustrating about mining in Africa is that so many resources are exported in raw form. Why aren’t rocks being transformed here on the continent? The skills are here, the minerals are here, the technology is here - the capital should be here too,” he added.

Minexx also operates in the tin and tantalum sectors in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, as well as in gold projects in Guyana.

Watch the full video interview here