Kenya to repossess idle mining permits
The government of Kenya has announced plans remove idle mining permits. Elijah Mwangi, Principal Secretary of the State Department of Mining made the announcement and said over 1500 licenses have been identified as non-compliant, and the areas freed up from revoking these licenses will be made available to new applicants following existing laws and regulations.
PS Mwangi emphasized that license holders must demonstrate compliance to retain their permits or licenses. Mining holds significant importance to Kenya’s economy, and the government is focusing on revamping the sector to increase its contribution to the country’s GDP.
Mining reforms
The reforms include a focus on value addition, support for small-scale miners, and natural resource reforms. As part of the ongoing reforms, the government is also formalizing artisanal and small-scale mining by forming cooperatives to simplify the regulatory environment and improve safety and health standards.
Artisanal mining currently employs more than 200,000 miners and supports over one million livelihoods. To support this sector, the government has established Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) Committees in several counties to advise on permit issuance and involve ASMs in mining governance.
To address the issue of low returns on gemstones, the government is promoting value addition of raw gemstones, particularly those mined in the Taita-Kwale gemstone belt and other parts of the country. The Voi Gem Centre is expected to play a crucial role in facilitating traders’ interactions and ensuring beneficiation through stone identification and price setting. Additionally, the Ministry of Mining has proposed the establishment of a ‘Mineral Royalty Fund’ to further support the mining sector in Kenya.
