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Elijah Mwangi, the Permanent Secretary of Mining, recently convened a crucial meeting with officials from the State Department for Mining in the Mombasa region.
The focus of the meeting was to strategize on the implementation of mining regulations aimed at bolstering enforcement and compliance within the sector. These initiatives form part of extensive reforms aimed at streamlining the mining industry and curbing illegal mining operations.
Mombasa, being a bustling business hub and home to the busiest East African Sea Port, plays a pivotal role in managing and facilitating mineral exports and imports. Recognizing this significance, Mwangi emphasized the importance of ensuring strict compliance with mining laws and the accuracy of all necessary documentation by mineral traders, exporters, and importers.
Moreover, the Mombasa region hosts several major mining operations, including mineral processing facilities, artisanal operations, and quarrying. These resources underscore the substantial potential of mineral wealth to catalyze positive impacts on the communities where they are situated.
As the mandated regulatory body, the Department of Mining aims to regularize all mining operations in Kenya by facilitating the acquisition of necessary documentation to operate within the legal framework. This documentation includes mining licenses and permits, prospecting licenses, trading licenses, movement permits, and export or import permits, among others.
In a resolute stance to protect Kenya’s interests, Mwangi affirmed that any mining operation found in violation of the Mining Act would face closure. This enforcement action has already commenced, yielding promising results, and will persist until all operations are brought into legal compliance.
The government’s unwavering commitment is to safeguard Kenya’s mineral resources against theft and exploitation by unscrupulous investors. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the exploitation of mineral resources translates into socio-economic benefits for Kenyans.
Mwangi’s impassioned commitment underscores the belief that mining activities must directly benefit the Kenyan populace. As efforts to strengthen monitoring and compliance in the mining sector intensify, stakeholders anticipate tangible improvements in governance, transparency, and equitable distribution of benefits derived from mineral resources across the nation.