Three dead as mine collapses in Turkana North, rescue efforts underway
By Mary Wambui |
Naduat is among the mineral-rich areas in the county, known for gold and quarry stone mining.
Rescue efforts are underway at the Naduat gold mines in Turkana North following a mine collapse that claimed three lives.
The incident, confirmed by the Turkana County government, occurred late Monday evening as miners carried out their activities.
County officials, led by Commissioner Julius Kavita, have teamed up with local medics and volunteers to locate and rescue miners who remain trapped.
"Our priority is to rescue the trapped miners and ensure the safety of all other artisanal miners in the area," said Leah Audan Lokala, the Executive Officer in charge of Tourism, Culture, Natural Resources, and Climate Change.
The county government has also announced plans to establish safety guidelines for mining sites to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
"We urge all artisanal miners to prioritise safety and adhere to recommended safety protocols. The county government will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to strengthen safety regulations and promote responsible mining practices," the county stated, adding that support will be provided to the affected families.
Rescue efforts are underway at Naduat gold mines in T. Northafter a mine collapse claimed three lives. County officials, led by Commissioner Julius Kavita, are working with medics and volunteers to rescue the trapped miners. Safety guidelines for mining sites are being planned. pic.twitter.com/3BQk9SL1X2
— County Government of Turkana (@TurkanaCountyKE) November 19, 2024
Earlier this year, a senior government official revealed that Kenya had conducted a geophysical survey identifying up to 970 mineral deposits, with 21 of these located in Turkana County.
Naduat is among the mineral-rich areas in the county, known for gold and quarry stone mining. However, the use of explosives and banned chemicals in these activities has raised safety concerns among county authorities.
In May, Mining Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi announced that only licensed miners would be permitted to operate in the Naduat gold mines within Nakakale Ward, with licenses for other artisanal miners expected to be processed within a month.
"It is our intention as the government to ensure that locals benefit from the minerals in their areas. For this reason, we encourage artisanal miners to join cooperative societies for empowerment and compliance," the PS said at the time.
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