An Australian company has told Kwale residents that they will benefit from a sand mining project in the area. Base Titanium managing director Tim Carstens said the social and economic status of the resident will improve significantly.

The assurances came after locals complained that they have been sidelined in the project. Speaking to journalists at the mining site yesterday, Carstens said the company has put in place policies that will ensure sustainable community development.

He said the project not will upgrade social infrastructure, train the residents and give them jobs. He said the company will build hospitals and schools.

"We want to play a significant role in improving the livelihood of the local communities. We will also upgrade the skills of those Kenyans who will man our operation and the future mining industry in the country," he said.

Carstens said 1,200 people are currently engaged in the construction phase of the project with about 300 Kenyans to be employed in the technical and non-technical sectors. Some 700 members of the local communities have also been recruited to work with contractors building the project. He said the first shipment of minerals from the Kwale minerals sands project is expected to leave the country before December.