Deeper detail on the opportunity behind the numbers on the main investment page — pulled directly from the July 2026 investor deck.
← Back to main pageThe Market & Why Now
The Tailings Opportunity
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.
The Business Model
Revenue Streams
Refined doré bars sold to licensed gold buyers at spot price minus 2–3% refining fee.
CIL processing for cooperatives with verified high-grade tailings. Higher margin, lower risk.
Value Proposition to Miners
Operational Advantages
| Advantage | Detail | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| No crushing/milling required | Pre-milled to ~75–150 microns from artisanal ball mills. Direct to CIL after scrubbing/classification. | Low |
| Proven feed source | Miners already proved ore contains gold (recovered coarse fraction). Tailings are "de-risked" feed. | Low |
| 70–80% water recycling | Tailings thickener + return ponds. Critical in water-scarce Kakamega. | Low |
| 24/7 continuous operation | Diesel generator + backup rental agreement. Maximum throughput. | Medium |
| 80% local labour | Community employment builds social license. | Medium |
| 6-tank CIL configuration | Proven, efficient, low maintenance. 2m diameter x 2m height each. | Medium |
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.
Next Step
Unit economics, sensitivity analysis, permits, team, and investment structure are all on the main page.