The government through the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, has discovered 970 mineral occurrences across the country.
The findings were made by a countrywide airborne geophysical survey.
Moreover, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Salim Mvurya, stated that his ministry is set to carry out ground truthing on various minerals including copper, graphite, manganese, iron ore, coltan, base metals, nickel chromite, base metal, lead, zinc, rare earth elements, uranium, and thorium.
CS Mvurya reported that the minerals were discovered in 15 counties, including Kitui, Embu, Tana River, Kilifi, Isiolo, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Kwale, Homabay, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi and Kericho.
“The Ministry will roll-out the exercise of ground truthing next week, where officers will visit the 15 counties for confirmation of the minerals. The exercise is expected to end in April before proceeding to other counties,” said the CS.
While addressing the press in his office at Public Works Building, the Mining CS stated that the government has established County and Regional mining offices in 18 counties, where mining activities are concentrated.
Furthermore, CS Mvurya met Governors from the counties where minerals have been identified, to discuss on the key reforms and government plans regarding mining.
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Nonetheless, the Mining CS announced that his ministry is in the process of reviving the functioning of the artisanal mining committees in various counties who play the role of issuing permits and functionalizing mining activities at their local level.
“We want to help the artisanal members to form cooperative societies,” said Mvurya.
In addition, the CS explained how the mineral royalties will be shared. He said 70 percent will go to the National Government, 20 percent to the County Government while the communities will receive the remaining 10 percent.
“With regard to the 10 percent share to communities, the ministry constituted a taskforce that is set to develop the regulations by the end of March 2023.Counties will be engaged for their comments on the Draft regulations before they are adopted,” said CS Mvurya.
