Discovery of the Madimba heavy mineral sand deposit, located in Mtwara Region of southern Tanzania, resulted from reconnaissance surface sampling and subsequent follow-up drilling of anomalies >3% total heavy mineral. Two discrete zones of mineralisation have been defined within a host of low to moderate slime sand, known as the Madimba and Madimba East zones, with a long axis up to 3 km and width up to 1.5 km. Limited drilling to date has identified mineralisation from surface to 8 m below surface with grades up 12.36% total heavy mineral. Within the total heavy mineral concentrate, the average valuable heavy mineral content has a range 72-88% for the two zones. Although ilmenite species dominate the valuable mineral assemblage, very high zircon plus rutile components, up to 16% in the total heavy mineral, have been identified. Semi-quantitative chemical analyses of ilmenite and altered ilmenite mineral grains show average TiO 2 ranges 50-52% and about 59%, respectively, for both zones. Based on the significant valuable mineral component, good ilmenite composition and proximity to port infrastructure, the Madimba deposits have significant economic potential and could theoretically produce high quality pigment feedstock.

Extensive grassroots exploration along the southern coast of Mozambique has resulted in the discovery of significant titanium heavy mineral (HM) sand mineralisation and subsequent definition of the large Mutamba deposit, within the Jangamo and Inharrime districts of Inhambane Province. As part of the economic assessment a geological model of the deposit was developed and this has contributed to a better understanding of Quaternary coastal evolution within the area of the Inhambane Peninsula. The correlation of geomorphological and geological characteristics of the deposit area, which included analysis and interpretation of satellite and air photo imagery, field observations, drill sample observations (reverse-circulation, hand-auger, sonic and vibracore) of sand texture and laboratory analyses for total HM and slime content, has resulted in identification of a stratigraphic sequence of mixed marine-continental origin deposited in a marginal-marine environment. Understanding the stratigraphy and geographic distribution of sediments that host the Mutamba deposit has been a critical element for the economic assessment of the deposit and will be fundamental for any future mineral sand exploration in the region.