MINING the volumes we have to mine are consequently very low ,” he continues . “ Our processing from the mined ore is also not overly technical because it relies on gravity separation .

“ It ’ s heavier than the waste so it ’ s relatively easy to extract the rare earth ore . It ’ s separated using gravity , so the lighter material gets thrown off and the heavier material gets concentrated .”

Building partnerships Strong existing infrastructural links such as the roads to Dar es Salaam , Tanzania and Mombasa , Kenya , support Rainbow ’ s operations by enabling mineral concentrate to be trucked to port . Its processing plant , situated 20km away from its core mining locations in Kabezi , will enable Rainbow to process of up to five tons of run of mine ore per hour .

Rainbow ’ s implementation of low-risk , low capex mining and processing has therefore increased the speed to first production and will support future sales , with the high grade eradicating the need for further chemical processing . A signed 10-year agreement with thyssenkrupp Raw

As at end November last year Rainbow directly employed 153 Burundian staff and 234 subcontractors , revitalising the local economy and creating opportunities for secondary businesses such as offering catering for the mining staff .

83