The government has revoked 50 mining and prospecting licenses in Turkana County as many investors were not following the correct procedures set in place.

As a means of enhancing mining potential in Turkana, the Cabinet Secretary Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs-Kenya, Salim Mvurya said the government had to intervene to ensure safety standards were met while investors were handling their mines.

Mvurya added that the government has trained and gazetted an artisanal mining committee that would issue permits to small-scale miners, as well as quarry operators.

“I am glad we have agreed to work with the county government on matters of licensing, we have gazetted and trained the artisanal committee for Turkana which will be giving permits for small-scale mining activities including quarries. We are doing all these to harness the potential here,” Mvurya said.

Registration of artisanal miners

The Cabinet Secretary assured that the national and county governments will work together on licensing of miners in the region.

“We shall organise and register more artisanal miners and incorporate them into cooperative societies for training and access funding. This is a new revolution and reforms we have come to announce in Turkana,” Mvurya stated.

During a visit to Lodwar earlier in the month, the cabinet secretary noted that some mining licenses had expired and needed to be revoked.

There was a request for mining and prospecting licenses to be reapplied for by investors because some had acquired them without following proper procedures.

Turkana, land of minerals

Mvurya has previously mentioned that Turkana is rich in minerals, including gemstones, industrial minerals and gold deposits, which can be exploited to benefit the country and improve the livelihoods of the people.

The Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki, ordered the closure of all small illegal artisanal mining sites across the country on March 2024, in a bid to ensure that safety measures were adhered to.

“To ensure regularised artisanal mining that meets public safety and environmental standards, the Government has banned all artisanal mining activities as well as unlicensed commercial mining,” Mvurya said.

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