London Mining has started exports from the Marampa operation in Sierra Leone.

London Mining said the first ship - carrying 49,656 wet metric tonnes of Marampa concentrate - had departed Freetown and was destined for Europe.

A premium price to the Platts 62% cfr China benchmark is expected to be realised.

A second ship has been ordered with the final destination expected to be China and a third ship has been requested from Glencore.

The company also said that coke production had started in Colombia.

The operation was now focussing on completing the oven build out, ramping up production, optimising product specification and commencing transport of coke by road to Barranquilla where port capacity has been secured for 200ktpa of exports.

London Mining expects to reach the targeted production run rate of 200ktpa by the end of the third quarter.