Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Ali Joho has issued a warning to Kenyans prospecting, mining and dealing in three strategic minerals.

The minerals are among 14 minerals gazetted as strategic in November 2023 by former cabinet secretary in the docket Salim Mvurya.

In a statement dated September 15, 2024, Joho warned some Kenyans are prospecting, mining and dealing in Copper, Coltan and Chromite illegally.

“The Cabinet on its 3rd October 2023 sitting declared 14 Minerals as Strategic. This means that any activity touching on the specified minerals including prospecting, mining, trading, dealing or processing was to be undertaken by or in partnership with The National Mining Corporation (NAMICO). Consequently, the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs on 3rd November 2023 gazetted the 14 Strategic Minerals in the Gazette Notice Vide No.14732,” Joho stated.

“To this end, dealing in any strategic minerals, contrary to the Mining Act, 2016 and The Mining (Strategic Minerals) Regulations, 2017 is an offence punishable by law. Despite the robust measures instituted by the Ministry to safeguard these 14 Strategic Minerals, it has come to our attention that unscrupulous individuals, in total disregard of the law, have been prospecting, mining and dealing in Strategic Minerals, particularly Copper, Coltan and Chromite.”

14 Strategic Minerals

The 14 minerals declared strategic by the government, due to their importance in the economy,
geopolitics and national defense, include Cobalt, Copper, Lithium, Niobium, Coltan, Tantalum, Tin, Tsavorite, Nickel, Graphite, Chromite, Thorium and Uranium and other rare earths

The minerals have been reserved for exploitation with government involvement.

“Such acts are in total disregard of the law protecting the Minerals and those individuals operate in total contravention of the laid-down procedures as stipulated in the Mining Act, 2016 and Mining (Strategic Minerals) Regulations, 2017,” Joho stated.

“This is hereby to notify the general public that anyone found dealing in such minerals against the provision of the Mining Act, 2016 and Strategic Mineral Regulations 2017 shall be dealt with according to the law. As a Ministry, we are committed to execute the reforms in the Mining Sector to the fullest. This includes total protection of strategic minerals from merchants of impunity who are attempting to plunder our mineral resource through circumventing the law for selfish gains.”