The government has pledged to enhance the country’s mining sector by supporting small-scale and artisanal miners to generate more economic benefits in the mining industry.
This announcement was made during the Nyanza Gold Summit held in Migori town, where policymakers, government officials, miners, and investors came together to discuss better ways to manage and grow the gold mining industry.
Speaking during the event, Principal Secretary, State Department for Mining, Harry Kimtai, said that the Nyanza region holds significant mineral potential and needs structured support to benefit fully from its resources.
He stated that gold is a national treasure that should benefit the community and generate income for both levels of government, thereby steering the nation’s economic growth.
The summit also discussed issues of mineral exploration, workable solutions in the mining sector, and clearing the backlog on permits and licenses that need approvals.
Other issues discussed included addressing court cases hindering the Department of Mining from issuing approvals and licenses, as well as addressing the decriminalisation of small-scale and artisan miners.
The PS disclosed that the government, through the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, has engaged with the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to buy gold from Kenyans, adding that they are working with Kakamega Gold Refinery to achieve the goal.
According to the official, the Mining department was working on reforms to create Joint Project Implementation Committees that will be meeting every month to listen and address challenges within the counties.
The Nyanza Gold Summit also championed the coexistence between the small-scale, artisan and land-scale miners to promote economic benefits to the local communities.
Kimtai disclosed that there is space for everyone in the mining sector, adding that the government will allocate more space to artisanal miners to empower them economically.
The majority of the 32 mining cooperatives in Migori have either been issued permits and licenses or are awaiting approval from the Mining Department.
The PS, however, explained that the department will do recognition if miners do not get approval in time to ensure they continue to operate.
On the issue of the environment, officials acknowledged that the Department of Mining is working closely with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to ensure the mining cooperatives meet the required environmental standards before being issued permits and licenses.
“Cooperative societies provide an organised structure for mining activities, and with the support from NEMA, we are ensuring that these groups comply with the National Environmental Management Act before they receive their licenses,” said Kimtai.
The PS, however, raised concerns over illegal mining activities in forests and the pollution of rivers caused by unregulated operations and illegal mines.
He called upon the local community to work closely with the multi-agency security team to seek proper approval and guidance before operating on any government land.
The small-scale and artisanal miners, especially from Nyatike Sub County operating in forest areas, have been urged to obtain consent from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), while those operating on private land and community lands are to seek permission from the landowner and approvals from the county government.
Kimtai called upon the community to promote community policing to address illegal mining that may put their lives in danger through the use of harmful chemicals that find their way to the water sources.
He noted that illegal miners have also denied sources of livelihood to individuals who deal with items necessary in the gold extraction process.
“A lot of illegal miners have been importing explosives across the border, denying the local explosive manufacturers and dealers business as well as the country revenue,” said PS Kimtai.
On the issue of Dealership licenses, the official disclosed that 145 licenses have not been approved because of poor or a lack of property infrastructure in the counties they operate.
“You cannot have a dealership license and declare one million in royalties, yet we know that Migori County generates not less than 20 Kilogrammes of gold per day,” explained Kimtai.
He said that the Department of Mining will not issue any dealership licenses to any individual without proper infrastructure. The PS also encouraged stakeholders in the mining sector to do what their mining licenses prescribe, saying that an individual cannot be a miner, a processor, a dealer and a buyer at the same time.
The Chairperson of Kenya Chambers of Mines (KCM), Patrick Kanyor, said that until we have a legal, honest and trustworthy mining force, the government will not reap the full potential of the mineral deposits in the country.
Meanwhile, Migori County Executive Committee Member for Environment (CECM) Julius Nyerere said that they will work closely with the national government to ensure the minerals royalties benefit the community and generate revenue for the county.
By Addah Awuor and Makokha Khaoya
