Government shuts down illegal mining operations in Kilifi to curb revenue loss

The government of Kenya, through the State Department of Mining, has launched a crackdown on illegal mining activities in Kilifi County to address significant revenue losses from unregulated operations.

The operation, spearheaded by Mining Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, started with surprise visits to mining sites in the Ganze and Kilifi South sub-counties, resulting in the shutdown of the activities.

Speaking at the Kazungu mining site on Friday, Mwangi emphasised the government's zero-tolerance policy towards unlawful mining.

"We are here today in Kilifi as part of fighting illegal mining operations in Kenya. We have had quite substantial illegal operations in the county, specifically the manganese, iron ore, art of limestone and now in some cases copper and silver," he stated.

During the crackdown, Mwangi, along with Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott and law enforcement officers, confiscated equipment, including excavators and bulldozers, used in mining operations.

He pledged to pursue the owners of this equipment and hold them accountable.

The PS highlighted the government's commitment to ensuring all mining activities comply with the law as part of broader efforts to increase the sector's contribution to national revenue.

Currently, the mining sector contributes only one per cent to national revenue, far below the government's target of 10 per cent.

"We shall no longer allow illegal operators. Those who are doing their business without following the laid-out procedures, they don't pay the government royalties, and we end up losing revenue as a government, the county, and even the community," Mwangi added.

Fighting against illegal mining operations in Kilifi County. This war must be won. pic.twitter.com/XuNUlw74P9

— PS Mining Kenya (@psmining_ke) October 19, 2024

While he did not provide specific figures on annual revenue losses, Mwangi stressed the importance of compliance in the mining sector.

"We shall continue this operation, not only here in Kilifi, but across the country. Anyone dealing, prospecting, or mining without the necessary license or permit should stop undertaking the mining activities," the PS warned.

Commissioner Biwott assured the public that law enforcement would secure the closed mining sites until all legal requirements were met.

"I want to assure you that no more mining activities will continue in this county without licensing. All the statutory requirements must be followed according to the law so that we don't lose revenue," Biwott stated.

Last month, Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho put illegal miners on notice

According to the CS, the 14 minerals which include rare earth, coltan, nickel, radioactive, niobium, copper, lithium, chromite, graphite, tin, tantalum, tsavorite, uranium, and thorium were declared as strategic on October 14, 2023, via a Cabinet resolution.

Joho revealed that his Ministry had already been made aware of individuals who were engaging in the mining of the minerals illegally, thereby flouting the Cabinet's resolution.

''Despite the robust measures instituted by the Ministry to safeguard these 14 strategic minerals, it has come to our attention that unscrupulous individuals, in total disregard of the law, have been prospecting, mining, and dealing in strategic minerals, particularly copper, coltan, and chromite,'' Joho added.

The CS asked those involved in the mining to stop their operations before they embarked on a plan to have them face the law.

"Such acts are in total disregard of the law protecting the Minerals and those individuals operate in total contravention of the laid-down procedures as stipulated in the Mining Act, 2016 and Mining (Strategic Minerals) Regulations, 2017,'' Joho maintained.