The government has identified 970 mineral occurrences across 47 counties, during the nationwide airborne geophysical survey that has been concluded.
According to the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Cabinet Secretary (CS) Salim Mvurya, the minerals discovered are copper, graphite, manganese, iron ore, coltan, base metals, nickel chromite, base metal, lead, zinc, rare earth elements, uranium and thorium.
He said the minerals have been discovered in Kitui, Embu, Tana River, Kilifi, Isiolo, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Kwale, Homabay, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi and Kericho counties.
Further, he noted that the Ministry will roll out the exercise of ground truthing next week, where officers will visit the 15 counties for confirmation of the minerals.
“ The exercise is expected to end in April before proceeding to other counties,” said Mvurya.
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Speaking to the Media, Mvurya said the government has established County and Regional mining offices in 18 counties, where mining activities are concentrated to provide a linkage with the counties.
Mvurya revealed that the nationwide airborne geophysical survey project was undertaken, to protect the data integrity, and control the flow of information.
And to have geological data of sufficient quality and resolution to attract inward investments by mineral exploration and mining companies.
“The companies will ideally use the preliminary data to undertake site-scale local mineral investigations to further develop the prospectively analysis of an area,” he added.
The CS was speaking in his office after meeting with Governors from the 15 Counties where minerals have been identified, at Public Works Building, after holding a meeting to discuss the key reforms and the plans the government has put in place regarding mining.
Additionally, he mentioned that the government is in the process of reviving the functioning of the artisanal mining committees in various counties that play the role of issuing permits and functionalizing mining activities at their local level.
