The Ministry of Mining has decried the rampant illegal gypsum extraction in the country, accusing cement manufacturers of purchasing the critical mineral from unlicensed sources.
- In a meeting with cement manufacturers, Cabinet Secretary for Mining Hassan Joho said that firms that bought minerals from illegal miners were complicit in the crime and would face prosecution.
- According to CS Joho, no one is licensed to mine gypsum, which is used in cement production to prevent hardening of concrete after mixing with water and acts as a coolant, in Kenya.
- Abundant in North Eastern, Kajiado and some coastal areas, gypsum has spurred conflicts in places such as Garissa, leading to multiple killings of miners and a ban on mining activities.
“There are no records on production, payment of taxes and royalties, or community programs undertaken by any gypsum dealer because they are doing it illegally,” Joho said.
“Let us do the right thing and ask our suppliers to have licenses. We will expedite the approvals if all requirements have been met,” he added.
Representatives from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) said they would comply with the law and urged the government to authorize investment in legitimate extraction of the mineral. This would involve mapping out the mining sites and negotiating with prospective dealers.
Mining contributes 0.7% to the overall Kenyan GDP. It contracted by 11% in the third quarter of last year, according to figures from the KNBS. The sector took another hit in December last year after Base Titanium wound up its mining operations in Kwale county.
In August, local leaders in Garissa urged the government to lift the ban on mining the crucial mineral. The ban was put in place in 2023 partially as a measure against the conflicts and security issues in the mines.
