TIDMKMR 
 
Kenmare Resources plc ("Kenmare" or "the Company") 
 
13(th) October, 2010 
 
                  Update on Settling Pond Breach at Moma Mine 
 
As reported on Friday, 8(th) October, a settling pond at the Moma Mine breached 
its southern retaining wall, which resulted in the release of water, sand and 
clay that flowed through part of the nearby village of Topuito. 
 
Sadly, a 4 year old girl has been missing since the incident and has not yet 
been found.  The search for her is continuing. 
 
Kenmare, community leaders and Government authorities are working together co- 
operatively. The residents of Topuito village who had to temporarily leave their 
homes have been accommodated. Supplies of food and blankets, installation of a 
new fresh water well and other assistance has been provided by Kenmare. Some 
minor injuries were incurred and all of these have been treated by Kenmare 
medical staff. Cleaning operations to remove mud from the houses and other areas 
in the village are underway. In total, 388 houses were affected by the 
discharge. Most of the affected houses suffered only minor damage and repairs to 
these houses are already underway. Approximately 30 houses were more extensively 
damaged and will be rebuilt by Kenmare. The first of the displaced families are 
expected to return to their homes today and most of the remaining families are 
expected to return in the coming week. 
 
Kenmare is working with Government authorities to investigate the incident. All 
tailings and clay management systems were constructed as designed by independent 
experts and, prior to the incident, operated safely according to accepted 
practice.  However, an incoming pipe discharging water and reject materials from 
the mineral separation plant inadvertently scoured an internal berm of a 
settling pond. This caused a failure of this berm during the early hours of 
Friday, 8(th) October.  As a result, a large body of non-toxic water, sand and 
clay moved into an adjoining settling pond paddock, which was not designed to 
contain this volume of material, and breached an exterior retaining wall.  This 
low density material flowed across a median area, a road and entered part of 
Topuito village. 
 
Kenmare ceased dredge mining operations immediately following the incident. 
Having established the cause, we are working with geotechnical experts and 
Government authorities to design and implement a new enhanced berm complex. This 
will be designed to prevent any such incident recurring and will learn from the 
lessons of this accident.  Contractors are mobilising equipment to site and it 
is expected that it will take a few weeks to implement these plans. Mining will 
recommence only when the new berm complex is completed.  In the meantime, the 
mineral separation plant, which produces the finished products of the mine, is 
continuing to operate using a stockpile of heavy mineral concentrate, which 
represents about 25 days' supply. 
 
Kenmare's Managing Director, Michael Carvill, and Operation's Director, Jacob 
Deysel, are at site continuing to lead the team in order to enable the community 
to return to their normal lives as quickly as possible. 
 
Further updates will be issued as new information becomes available. 
 
 
For further information, please contact: 
 
Kenmare Resources plc. 
Tony McCluskey, Financial Director 
Tel: +353 1 6710411 
Mob: + 353 87 674 0346 
 
Murray Consultants 
Jim Milton 
Tel: +353 1 498 0300 
Mob: + 353 86 2558400 
Joe Heron 
Tel: +353 1 498 0300 
Mob: + 353 87 690 9735 
 
Conduit PR Ltd 
Leesa Peters/Charlie Geller 
Tel: +44 207 429 6604 
Mob: +44 752 823 3383 
 
 
[HUG#1451626] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of 
Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: 
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and 
    other applicable laws; and 
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and 
     originality of the information contained therein. 
 
Source: Kenmare Resources via Thomson Reuters ONE
Kenmare Resources (LSE:KMR)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2024 to Jun 2024 Click Here for more Kenmare Resources Charts.
Kenmare Resources (LSE:KMR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2023 to Jun 2024 Click Here for more Kenmare Resources Charts.