Govt orders closure of illegal mining sites countrywide

 

The Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs has ordered the closure of all illegal mining sites countywide in an effort to streamline the sector.

Speaking in Athi River National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) during the launch of Artisanal Miners Cooperatives, Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said unscrupulous both local and international investors have been operating without Mining licenses contrary to the law.

He further said the Ministry has been able to identify at least 960 different deposits of minerals countrywide and at least one million Kenyans working in mining sites and quarries. He also said mining police officers will be deployed across the country to enforce new reforms.

He said the newly County Mining Committees will be giving investors licenses from the county level assuring sampling and analysis of mineral deposits will be carried from the mining center to avoid miners falling into the hands of swindlers.

Artisanal Miners Cooperatives who participated in a day-long rigorous training on mining rules and regulations and importance of forming a cooperative expressed optimism in the new reforms in the sector.

BY KBC NEWS