The Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs has notified mineral dealers across the country to renew their licenses for the year 2024.
A notice released pursuant to Section 6(I) and Section 164(3) of the Mining Act 2016, states “A mineral dealer’s permit shall expire on the thirty-first day of December of the year in which it is issued.”
According to the ministry, all mineral dealer licenses and permits that were granted in the year 2023 have officially expired.
Mineral dealers are now urged to adhere to the legal requirements by submitting their applications for the year 2024 promptly.
The renewal process involves obtaining either a Mineral Dealers Processing License (MDPL), a Mineral Dealers Trading License (MDTL), or a Mineral Dealers Trading Permit (MDTP).
Mineral dealers are advised to submit their application details online via the official portal http://portal.miningcadastre.go.ke.
Mining License Requirements
According to section 115 of the Mining Act 2016, an application for the renewal of a mining license shall contain a proposed program of mining operations to be carried out during the term of renewal and a plan of the area in respect of which renewal of the license is sought including all or any of the contiguous blocks in the license area.
Also, it will include an approved environmental impact assessment license, social heritage assessment, environmental management plan in respect of the applicant’s proposals, where required under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act and Community Development Agreement and such additional information as the Cabinet Secretary may prescribe.
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Holders of the License
In line with section 109 of the Mining Act 2026, the holder of the license shall commence mining operations within six months of the grant of the license, or as may be specified in the approved program for mining operations or in any relevant mineral’s agreement.
He\she will conduct mining operations in compliance with the approved program and demarcate and keep demarcated the mining area in the prescribed manner.
The licensee will also comply with the terms and conditions of the approved environmental impact assessment license, social heritage assessment and environmental management plan relating to the operations to be carried out under the mining license.
At the same time, the license holders will as well stack or dump any mineral or waste products in the manner provided for in the license or as otherwise prescribed, having regard to good mining industry practice and carry out prospecting and mining activities in accordance with international best practice and the prescribed guidelines.
Additionally, they will sign a community development agreement with the community where operations are to be carried out in such a manner as shall be prescribed in Regulations.
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Mining Permit Requirements
In relation to section 136 of the Mining Act 2016, a person may apply for a mining permit to the Cabinet Secretary in the prescribed form and upon payment of the prescribed fee.
The applicant for the permit shall provide the full name, nationality, and address of the applicant, or, in the case of a body corporate, its place of incorporation, names and nationalities of the directors and its registered address.
Besides, applicants will also include particulars of the proposed operations to be carried out under the permit and details of the mining experience and financial resources available to the applicant to conduct the mining operations.
The mineral in respect of which the permit is sought, details of the area in respect of which the permit is sought will also be included.
Holders of Permit
In section 139 of the Mining Act, the holders of the permit shall enter the area specified in the permit and take all reasonable measures to carry out the approved mining operations.
They will further have to erect on the area buildings and equipment necessary to carry out the operations and subject to the payment of royalties, use or dispose of any minerals recovered.
