AboutInvestMarketBusiness ModelAdvantagesContact Us
Supplementary Deck Detail

The Market, the Model, and Why Tailings Are Lower Risk

Deeper detail on the opportunity behind the numbers on the main investment page — pulled directly from the July 2026 investor deck.

← Back to main page

Kenya's Artisanal Gold Sector Produces Massive Volumes of Untapped Tailings

$5.28B
Gold deposits confirmed in Kakamega (Shanta Gold, Nov 2025)
358.8 kg
Official gold production in 2024 (Economic Survey)
250,000+
People directly employed in artisanal gold mining
3%
Royalty rate (reduced from 5% in 2024)
~$4,100/oz
Current gold price; we model at $3,500/oz conservative
40–60%
Gold lost to tailings in artisanal gravity recovery
Thousands of tonnes
Of tailings discarded annually in Kakamega alone
Zero competition
No formal CIL tailings processor in Western Kenya. Government push: ASM formalization under Mining Act 2016.
The Gap We Fill

Artisanal miners capture only 40–60% of gold via gravity. The remaining 40–60% stays in tailings as fine particles too small for sluices and shaking tables. Legion Mining buys these tailings, leaches the fine gold via CIL, and sells refined doré — turning waste into revenue for both miners and investors.

Tailings Aggregation + CIL Processing + Gold Sale

Artisanal Miners
Gravity recovery. Coarse gold kept. Tailings sold to Legion.
Legion Mining
Buy tailings, CIL leaching, recover fine gold.
Licensed Buyers
Doré bars. Spot price −2–3%. Export/refining.
~90%

Primary: Gold Sales

Refined doré bars sold to licensed gold buyers at spot price minus 2–3% refining fee.

~10%

Secondary: Toll Processing

CIL processing for cooperatives with verified high-grade tailings. Higher margin, lower risk.

  • Additional revenue stream: they sell tailings they currently discard
  • No process change: their gravity operation continues unchanged
  • Transparent pricing: assay-based, no cheating
  • Weekly cash payment: improves cash flow vs. monthly informal settlements

Why Tailings Processing Is Lower Risk Than Fresh Ore

AdvantageDetailRisk
No crushing/milling requiredPre-milled to ~75–150 microns from artisanal ball mills. Direct to CIL after scrubbing/classification.Low
Proven feed sourceMiners already proved ore contains gold (recovered coarse fraction). Tailings are "de-risked" feed.Low
70–80% water recyclingTailings thickener + return ponds. Critical in water-scarce Kakamega.Low
24/7 continuous operationDiesel generator + backup rental agreement. Maximum throughput.Medium
80% local labourCommunity employment builds social license.Medium
6-tank CIL configurationProven, efficient, low maintenance. 2m diameter x 2m height each.Medium
Validated Thesis

The "no milling" claim is not theoretical. Artisanal miners in Kakamega already use ball mills as part of their gravity recovery process. Legion buys the waste tailings they discard. This is a tailings reprocessing model, not a greenfield mining operation.

Want the Full Numbers Behind This?

Unit economics, sensitivity analysis, permits, team, and investment structure are all on the main page.

View the Full Investment Case →