The Kenyan government has raised alarm over 1500 non-compliant licenses in the mining sector warning their owners they risk losing them.
State department of mining said it has instituted a comprehensive audit of all mineral rights with an aim of removing all expired permits and licenses, identify all idle and speculative hoarding permits with intention of revoking rights that are not following conditions as stipulated.
“If you have a permit or licence you must demonstrate the compliance in order to retain it,” said Elijah Mwangi, Principal Secretary State Department of Mining. “In this category we have identified over 1500 licenses that are non-compliant. The freed areas shall be available to new applicants as per existing laws and regulations.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony of Kenya Mining Week, the PS said due to significance of mining to Kenya’s economy, the government has renewed focus on the sector with an objective of turning it around and increasing its contribution to the GDP.
Some of the reforms to revamp the sector includes focus on value addition, uplifting small scale miners and natural resource reforms. The State Department of Mining is also planning to review Mining Act of 2016 and associated regulations.
Mining Reforms
In the ongoing reforms, the department has also embarked on the process of formalizing artisanal mining and small-scale mining through formation of cooperatives which will offer them an opportunity to tap into the benefits of working in a simplified regulatory environment and improved safety and health standards.
Artisanal mining currently employs more than 200,000 miners and supports over one million livelihoods, the miners have had to make do with among other unfortunate issues such as loss of lives and exploitation by brokers.
“We have in place policy that is intended to support artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) through establishment of ASM Committees in the counties. Towards this end, we have established nine such committees in Kakamega, Vihiga, Siaya, Turkana, Migori, Kisii, Kitui and Taita Taveta Counties,” said Mwangi.
“These committees support Artisanal and Small-scale Miners through advice on issuance of permits also providing platform for ASMs to be involved in mining governance.”
To correct low returns on gemstones, the PS said, the government is spearheading value addition of raw gemstones mined in Taita-Kwale gemstone belt as well as in other parts of the country.
The Voi Gem Centre is expected to provide an avenue for traders to interact also ensuring beneficiation through stone identification and price setting.
