Kenya loses billions due to illegal mining as State steps up sector reforms

Kenya has lost billions of shillings in income as a result of a moratorium that has not stopped unlicensed and illicit mining activity.

Cabinet Secretary Mining Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Salim Mvurya says they have stepped up efforts to streamline the mining sector to ensure the locals and the state benefit from the minerals.

"By its very nature, illegal mining is equivalent to plundering Kenya's resources. Such activities commit grave injustices to local communities that never benefit from the mineral resources that belong to them. Our bare minimum is that any mining activity outside the law should never be allowed to operate," said CS Mvurya.

The CS said the nationwide crackdown launched on all illegal mining operations and activities across the 47 counties in Kenya has started to bear fruit.

He said since the year began the state has shut down over 1200 illegal mining operations that were found to have failed to comply with the law.

Their operations will remain closed until all legal requirements are fulfilled and royalties owed to the government are duly paid.

"Our commitment to reform the mining sector stands strong and true. The passion and efforts invested in these reforms are premised on the singular belief that eradicating illegalities in the mining sector will see Kenya realize the full value of her minerals. This is the commitment that drives our passion and belief that mining must benefit Kenyans," he said.

The CS said they are out to implement mining regulations and bolster the enforcement and compliance which are part of extensive reforms geared towards streamlining the sector and eradicating illegal mining operations.

"As a department mandated by law to regulate the sector, we aim to have all mining operations in Kenya regularized by facilitating them to acquire the requisite documentations that allow them to operate within the legal framework," he said.

He mentioned the documents to include mining licences and permits, prospecting licences, trading licences, movement permits, and exports or import permits amongst others.

He noted that to safeguard Kenyans' interest, any mining operation that violates the Mining Act will be closed down.

"This operation has already started with impressive results. It will continue until all operations are legalized," he said.

Early in the year, the once-neglected ministry introduced reforms to ensure the country reaps maximum benefit from the minerals.

Among the reforms include shutting down illegal entities, conducting a countrywide mineral geo-survey, establishing a formula for sharing earnings, and declaring minerals smuggling an economic crime.

"We have operationalised the Mining Police Unit that has bolstered the enforcement of mining law.

Additionally, we are reviewing all existing mining licenses to weed out the non-compliant investors and fast-tracked the commissioning of County Artisanal Mining Committees who will vet mining applications at the counties," he said.

He noted that the country has registered 970 mineral occurrences and they have initiated reforms in the sector that received little investment.

"We are equipping ourselves with mining data. We have done a geo survey and we have seen 970 mineral occurrences in our country. We have done ground truthing in 24 counties and we have 14 major strategic minerals including colton, copper, lead, zinc, graphite, lithium and chromite which we shall confirm the economic value," said Mvurya.