Kenya to partner with universities to boost mining
The government of Kenya under the leadership of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, has announced a series of initiatives and plans aimed at assessing and enhancing the economic value of minerals in the country and promoting sustainable growth in the mining industry.
Among the plans include partner with universities to conduct research and capacity building in the mining sector. Minerals have been grouped into industrial and strategic categories, highlighting the need for extensive research to unlock their economic potential. According to CS Mvurya, there is a recognition of the need for more geologists and engineers with expertise in mining. The government intends to focus on training and education to meet the demand for skilled professionals in the sector.
Mining in Kenya
Mining in Kenya yields high-grade quantities of gold, copper, ilmenite and tantalum. Kenya is also an important source of non-metallic minerals including soda ash, limestone, salt, niobium, fluorspar and fossil fuels. The government aims to significantly increase the contribution of the mining sector to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The goal is to raise the sector’s contribution from one percent of GDP to 10%t within the next three years. The Ministry is working on policies related to mineral value addition and processing. These policies are considered instrumental in the growth of the mining sector.
Efforts are also being made to modernize mining laboratories, with a goal of achieving international accreditation and decentralize laboratory services across the country. Artisanal mining has been decriminalized, and the government is working with universities, including Taita Taveta University, to facilitate trading for artisanal miners and upgrade their skills and technology.
