Kenya to reopen Dabel gold mines in Marsabit
The government of Kenya has announced plans to reopen the Dabel gold mines in Marsabit. Mining Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, representing Mining CS Ali Hassan Joho, unveiled a strategic roadmap designed to ensure the safe, sustainable, and profitable operation of the previously troubled site.
Objectives of the roadmap
The key points of the roadmap include: Deployment of earthmoving equipment, including shovels, graders, and excavators, to backfill dangerous pits and shafts left by past mining activities. This aims to prevent illegal mining and associated hazards.
The road map ensures demarcation of specific areas by the county government for artisanal miners to work in cooperatives, ensuring equitable access to resources while preventing disputes. It also includes provision of essential services like water, healthcare, and security to support miners and their families, fostering a stable and supportive mining environment.
The roadmap will offer engagement with the six communities in Moyale Constituency to ensure collaborative support and equitable benefits from the reopened mining operations. Governor Mohamud Ali praised the roadmap, emphasizing its potential to transform mining in the region by providing artisanal miners with a dignified framework to earn a living while addressing environmental and safety issues. He noted that the cooperative approach would promote unity and equitable distribution of resources among local communities.
The timeline for reopening depends on the swift implementation of these measures, which reflect a strong commitment to safe, sustainable mining and long-term community development. This initiative is a critical step toward ensuring the economic benefits of mining reach local communities while maintaining environmental stewardship and social harmony.
