The Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy is currently in the process of tracking the economic value of coltan deposits discovered in six counties in Kenya.
- •Coltan deposits were found in Embu, Samburu, Turkana, West Pokot, and Tana River.
- •Coltan is an important metallic mineral used in electronic gadgets such as phones, video game consoles, and laptops.
- •It is massively mined in the Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC).
When mining begins, 20% of the revenue will be allocated to the county government and 10% set aside for the residents. The revenue will be used to spur local development and reduce the county’s reliance on funds disbursed by the National government.
The government plans to decentralize mineral-testing facilities by setting up laboratories in eight regions.
In addition to the DRC, coltan deposits are also currently mined in Rwanda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Colombia, and China.
The Bigger Picture
According to CS Mvurya, Kenya has enough minerals to prop up the sector as an important GDP contributor. Proper investment in the 970 mining hotspots across the country would also ease unemployment.
He also acknowledged the presence of cartels in the sector, and promised to collaborate with county governments in efforts to crack down on illegal miners who excavated precious deposits without licenses.
“We want mining to be a business where investors comply with the law,” said CS Mvurya.
