Kwale mining: County seeks public views on use of Base Titanium land

The Kwale County Government has invited views from locals on post-mining land use following the completion of exploration by Australian company Base Titanium at a site in Maumba, Msambweni Sub-county.

This is part of mine rehabilitation, a restoration process that ensures land used in mining is made available for economic activities, conservation, and diverse community uses.

Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, said a sustainable decision needed to be made to conserve the environment and offer locals an alternative source of income.

Mwangi spoke at the Kenya School of Government in Matuga on Monday during the inauguration of a post-mining land use committee that he said would collect views from key stakeholders and residents affected by mining activities.

The team has representatives from the county government and parliament, as well as National Government Administration Officers.

(R-L) Mining minister Salim Mvurya, Mining PS Elijah Mwangi, Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, and Kwale Senator Issa Boi at the Kenya School of Government in Matuga on May 6, 2024, during the inauguration of a post-mining land use committee. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Key proposals

Among the issues raised during the inauguration were job loss, vandalism, property theft in the company, and what to do with the land.

Base Titanium's management had suggested that the land be used for the construction of a vocational centre for the youth to acquire technical skills as part of efforts to improve their livelihoods, or an agricultural research centre focused on improving the quality of produce in the region since the majority of the residents are farmers.

Mining Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said the final decision lay with the residents, as they were the ones primarily affected by the company's activities.

"We have been discussing what the land will be used for, which is why we have come up with the post-mining committee to address the concerns of the locals and decide what we are going to do," Mvurya said.

Leaders greet Mining CS Salim Mvurya outside the Kenya School of Government in Matuga on May 6, 2024, ahead of the launch of a post-mining land use committee. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Regarding royalties, the minister asked the victims to be patient as plans were underway to disburse the funds.

CS Mvurya said that of the Sh2.9 billion mining royalties, Kwale would receive the largest share of Sh1.1 billion, which will be divided in a ratio of 70:20:10.

He noted that the Mining Act of 2016 stipulates that royalties from mining activities be shared in a tripartite formula, with the national government getting 70 per cent, the county government 20 per cent, and the community 10 per cent.

Additionally, the law prescribes that one per cent of the gross revenue from sales by an investor be given back to the community under corporate social responsibility, to support development projects.

On the matter of Base Titanium's moveable and non-movable assets, the CS said the committee would decide their use.

Leaders tour the Base Titanium mining site in the Maumba area of Msambweni Sub-county, Kwale County, in an inspection of environmental conservation efforts, on May 6, 2024. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Leaders' appeals

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani advised the committee to keep the people's interests in mind and involve them in decision-making.

"We gave our land in good faith. We hope that our views will be taken into account. We have a TVET in Ramisi, so there is no point in constructing another one on the Base Titanium land," she said.

"We are grateful that the local leadership is involved in the committee because they are the ones who know what the county needs."

Simon Wall, Base Titanium's general manager for external affairs, said there had been many cases of theft and vandalism of equipment at the site since their departure.

"These materials can be used for other purposes to benefit the locals, so we hope the locals will be considerate," he said.

Mining minister Salim Mvurya, Base Titanium General Manager of External Affairs Simon Wall, Mining CS Salim Mvurya, and Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani at the Kenya School of Government in Matuga on May 6, 2024, during the launch of a post-mining land use committee. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Wall further said the company had started rehabilitating the land, by planting trees and filling drilled parts, and hoped it would soon return to its original state.

Kwale Senator Issa Boi said they were worried about the loss of many jobs the company had provided.

"We hope that the post-mining committee will come up with a project that will absorb the people who have been rendered jobless," he said.

Present at the meeting were senior Kwale leaders, including County Secretary Slyvia Chidodo, Lands and Environment executive Saumu Beja, Chief of Staff Joshua Mdoe, and political advisor Mshenga Ruga.

The others were MPs Mangale Chiphoromodo (Lunga Lunga), Feisal Abdallah (Msambweni), Hanifa Mwajirani (majority leader), and Kinondo MCA Juma Maone.