To register as a mineral dealer in Kenya, you must follow a formal process regulated by the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.
The licensing process is overseen by the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, and is designed to ensure transparency, traceability, and compliance with environmental and security standards.
This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to register as a mineral dealer in Kenya.
How to Apply
Eligibility and Preliminary Requirements
To qualify for a mineral dealer’s license, the applicant must be a Kenyan citizen or a legally registered company in Kenya.
The applicant must have a registered office and a secure storage facility for minerals.
Additionally, the business must be registered with the Registrar of Companies and possess a valid Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Personal Identification Number (PIN) as well as a current Tax Compliance Certificate.
Applicants are also expected to provide a business plan detailing the nature of their mineral dealings, including sourcing, storage, and marketing strategies.
Where applicable, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is required.
Application Process
To register as a mineral dealer in Kenya, applicants must first create an account on the Kenya Mining Cadastre Portal.
This is the official digital platform managed by the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs.
The process starts with self-registration, where individuals upload a scanned copy of their national ID or passport.
If the application is being made on behalf of a company, a letter of authority signed by a company director must also be submitted.
Once the Ministry verifies the documents, login credentials are sent to the applicant’s email.
Submitting the License Application
After gaining access to the portal, the applicant proceeds to the “New Applications” section and selects the Mineral Dealer’s License option.
The online form requires detailed information.
These include a Certificate of Incorporation or Business Registration Certificate, a valid Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) PIN, and a current Tax Compliance Certificate.
A Certificate of Good Conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is also required, along with a lease agreement or title deed for the premises intended for mineral storage.
If the business activities have an environmental impact, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license must be obtained.
A comprehensive business plan detailing the sourcing, handling, and marketing of minerals is also part of the submission.
Payment of Application Fees
Once the application is complete, the applicant pays a non-refundable application fee through the portal’s integrated e-payment system.
The fee amount varies depending on the scale and nature of the mineral dealing operation.
Payment confirmation is essential for the application to proceed.
Site Inspection and Background Checks
Following payment, the Ministry initiates a site inspection.
Officers from the Directorate of Mines visit the applicant’s premises to assess the suitability of the storage facilities and ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and security standards.
Concurrently, the Ministry conducts background checks to verify the applicant’s legal standing and confirm that there is no involvement in the illegal trade of minerals.
Approval and License Issuance
If the application passes all checks, it is forwarded to the Cabinet Secretary for final approval.
Upon approval, the Mineral Dealer’s License is issued and uploaded to the applicant’s Cadastre Portal account.
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The license is valid until December 31st of the year it is issued, regardless of the date of issuance.
Record-Keeping Obligations
Licensed dealers are required to maintain a digital register of all mineral transactions.
This register must be regularly updated and submitted to the Ministry through the Cadastre Portal.
The Ministry reserves the right to audit these records at any time.
License Renewal
Renewal of the license must be initiated before November 30th each year.
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The renewal process mirrors the initial application, requiring updated documents and payment of renewal fees.
A renewal link becomes available at the bottom of the license page within the portal.
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