By Ronny Thiong’o
The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Joho retook his stance on a gazette notice that the government issued on October 3, 2023, officially declaring 14 minerals as strategic to Kenya’s economy and security.
This declaration means that all activities related to these minerals that pertain to prospecting, mining, trading, and processing, must all be conducted by or in partnership with the National Mining Corporation (NAMICO).
The National Mining Corporation (NAMICO) plays a crucial role in managing and overseeing Kenya’s strategic minerals, as outlined in the Mining Act, of 2016 and subsequent regulations.
NAMICO’s involvement is intended to safeguard the country’s resources, ensuring that strategic minerals are utilized for national development and not exploited by illegal actors.
These include key resources like Cobalt, Copper, Chromite, Lithium, Niobium, Coltan, Tantalum, Tin, Tsavorite, Nickel, Graphite, Thorium and Uranium and other rare earth were termed strategic minerals, which have become targets for illegal mining and trading.
“Any dealing in Strategic Minerals contrary to the Mining Act, 2016, and the Mining (Strategic Minerals) Regulations, 2017, is an offence punishable by law,” the gazette stated.
Despite these stringent measures, reports have surfaced that unscrupulous individuals continue to prospect and deal in these minerals illegally.
The gazette underlined the government’s commitment to reforms in the mining sector.
“We are committed to total protection of strategic minerals from merchants of impunity who attempt to plunder our resources by circumventing the law for selfish gains,” the gazette reiterated.
The government’s goal is believed to be ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with the law while promoting the sustainable exploitation of these valuable minerals.
This step reflects the government’s drive to safeguard national resources and ensure they benefit the country as a whole, rather than falling into the hands of illegal traders.