Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs plans to review the current gold mining extraction policies in a fresh bid to transform the country’s mining sector.

Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho (pictured) said his priority in the ministry would be to dismantle gold cartels that have plagued the mining industry and held the sector hostage for years.

He said the cartels export billions of tonnes of gold but leave local miners with ‘peanuts or little profit.

Joho also vowed to ensure proper mining licensing to curb illegal mining.

“Some unscrupulous middlemen exploit our miners and siphon profits away. We want to develop policies that will profit both artisanal miners and investors in the sector equitably,’’ disclosed the CS, insisting on a fresh review to ensure process efficiency.

“No more waiting for seven years or more to earn royalties. Miners deserve prompt payment after deliveries, a fair share of the bounty they unearthed,’’ he declared during field tour of the mining sites in Nyanza region.

Joho handed over a pick up to the regional mining office to enhance patrols to crack down on illegal miners in the region as part of his immediate action to regulate the sector.

He said new policy reforms also aim at addressing security and environmental degradation due to gold extraction.

“In the recent past, Kenyans have been treated to negative news of miners dying in the caves while extracting the minerals. This ought to be curbed,” the CS said.

Joho disclosed that several artisanal miners had lodged complaints with his office telling him of exploitation that they have endured in the hands of middlemen just because they lacked the requisite modern technological know-how in mining.

“It is why some of these shadowy figures have for many years reportedly manipulated deals, siphoning profits away from hardworking artisanal miners unaware of the hidden gold prize in the soil,’’ the Mining CS pointed out.

Joho said the envisaged mining policies will reform gold mining to protect the livelihoods of artisanal miners and promote sustainable mining practices.

Transparency, the CS said,  would be the cornerstone of his tenure and promised dialogue and exchange of ideas with all stakeholders as he met a group of artisanal miners from Nandi County at a Kisumu Hotel.

Joho stated that public-private partnerships would fuel progress, and regular accountability briefings would keep everyone informed of the major reforms and business going on in the sector for the common benefit of all.

On Tuesday the CS toured fish landing sites in Ogal and Asat beaches on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kisumu County accompanied by ministry officials and local leaders.