Kenya suspends quartz mining in Wundanyi
The government of has taken the decision to suspend quartz mining activities for 23 artisanal mining groups in Wundanyi sub-county due to concerns over potential violence arising from an alleged ownership dispute between two rival groups.
The stop-order was issued by the Wundanyi sub-county Deputy County Commissioner Maina Ngunyi, accompanied by the sub-county security team and mining officials. According to the Deputy County Commissioner, the mining operations will remain suspended as a precautionary measure because another mining group is claiming the same mining zone, which increases the risk of a conflict. The intention behind the suspension is to halt all activities until the dispute is resolved.
Streamlining mining operations
However, members of the Kishushe Mining CBO, which operates at the mining site, have dismissed the allegations of a dispute as false rumors fueled by business rivals seeking to disrupt their activities. They assert that they are the legitimate owners of the mine and believe that some individuals are attempting to use police and security agencies to hinder their work.
The Kishushe Mining CBO is a prominent mining group in the region, comprising over 500 members. It is an alliance of 23 smaller Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) that primarily focus on mining quartz in the area. The main objectives of the CBO include streamlining mining operations, promoting unity among miners, and actively seeking markets for their quartz products.
Quartz has various applications in industries such as jewelry, glass production, and timekeeping devices like watches and clocks. Additionally, it is utilized in manufacturing glass components for microscopes, telescopes, and lasers.
