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The national government has initiated a strategic programme to partner with mineral rich counties with a view to exploit natural resources.

Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya who on Monday held a consultative meeting with Kitui governor Julius Malombe alongside East Africa Community and Arid Lands Cabinet Secretary Penina Malonza and a section of county MPs said that the government is committed to extracting the mineral wealth to grow the country’s economy as well as benefit residents in the mineral rich areas.

The Cabinet Secretary said the government would collaborate with the counties to come up with a clear mining framework that would ensure that the county residents reap maximum benefits.

Mvurya (pictured) revealed that consultations with the county governments would now be mandatory before approving any mining licences across the country, signaling a decisive crackdown on illegal mining activities. The CS sent a warning to illegal miners who were operating without requisite permits.

“If you are in the mining industry, apply for a licence and we shall grant it. Illegal miners will face the full wrath of the law,” said Mvurya.

He revealed that his ministry had mapped out all the mineral rich counties complete with a catalogue of the kind of minerals found in those regions.

This would also give way for local and international investors, he explained. His ministry had already issued licences to international investors in Vihiga, Kakamega and Elgeyo Marakwet, Mvurya revealed and urged Kitui county to set out land for the same.

On Kitui, Mvurya said that the county was endowed with strategic minerals among them iron ore, limestone, manganese, graphite, coltan and a copper belt running from Kitui South to Mwingi North.
“Kitui is one of the mineral rich counties. As a government, we are committed to ensure that local residents reap maximum benefits from the mineral resources,” said the CS.

The county is also rich in coal deposits in the expansive Mui basin but the CS was not eager to discuss coal mining which has been a controversial subject in the recent past.

He said his ministry was in the process of setting up a modern minerals lab in the county.