The Canadian Base Titanium mining company in Kwale plans to lay off more than 100 security workers, a move workers have rejected.

The company has terminated a contract with G4S security firm, that has employed the workers.

The contract between the mining company and G4S expires on August 16.

Base Titanium mining company environment and community affairs manager Collins Forbes said they terminated the contract with G4S for reasons he will not release.

The Titanium company terminated the contract by G4S and gave it to XFOR security firm over theft claims by its workers.

The G4S workers said they were promised employment by the company when the contract was terminated.

"They had assured us that if G4S contract is terminated, since we come from the mining area, we will join the next security company," said a guard.

The company has however maintained that all G4S workers should leave to pave way for the newly contracted company workers.

The XFOR security firm has advertised 300 security positions for workers expected to report at the firm's site, once the G4S contract expires.

A senior G4S security firm officer in Coast province dismissed claims of its workers stealing from the company.

"Drivers might have been selling the diesel before parking them but not our workers. There is no evidence to support the claims," she said.

The officer said all workers who worked at the mining company will be deployed to other areas.

"Those not willing to continue working with us will be allowed to resign," she said.

Forbes said the 150 workers employed by G4S are not their employees and they have no mandate to employ them.