Kenyan Government Orders Closure of Artisanal Mining in Migori to Stop Mineral Smuggling

The government has ordered the closure of all artisanal mining activities and unlicensed commercial mining in Migori County.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki while issuing the directive earlier today noted that small-scale illegal artisanal mining sites in Migori County pose grave public safety risks resulting in deaths when mine shafts cave in.

Last week, two Kenyans died in one of such sites in Nyatike, while four others died two months ago at Sango.

Crackdown on Illegal Mining

“To ensure regularised artisanal mining that meets public safety and environmental standards, the Government has ordered the closure of all artisanal mining activities as well as unlicensed commercial mining,” directed Kindiki.

The CS directed the Migori County Security and Intelligence Committee to enforce this directive immediately.

The directive by the CS comes when a report by the Auditor General reveals an illegal mining operation of soapstone in Kisii County.

Several individuals and companies in Tabaka, South Mugirango, and Nyamarambe Sub Counties in Kisii County the report revealed were mining soapstone without mining permits granted by the State Department for Mining.

The operations in the mines were ongoing despite closure by officials from the Kisii County Government due to depletion and over-exploitation of the resources.

Auditor General Nancy Gathugu further said minerals mined in Narok and Migori counties are smuggled to Tanzania and other neighbouring countries.

She said the smuggling occurs due to a lack of mining officers at the border points. The minerals she noted are smuggled through Isebania and other border points.

The report revealed that the government has no designated inspectors to monitor operations and measure gold quantities extracted.

Urgent Need for Mining Oversight

Large Scale Gold Miners at Kilimapesa Gold Limited based in Narok County and Copper Hill Exploration and Mining Resources Company Limited in Migori County it was revealed have no designated inspectors from the Directorate of Mines.

Gathungu said the activities of operators of gold leaching plants in Migori and Narok counties are illegal. She said several gold leaching plants lack mineral processing licenses and permits as provided by law.
She said small-scale and large-scale operators were using cyanidation and mercury to extract gold from tailings and ore as it is regarded to be efficient and cost-saving.

She noted the chemicals used are harmful to small-scale operators who were not using protective equipment like gloves, gumboots, and goggles, among others.

The leaching plants she said are also situated near neighborhoods where people live and pose health and environmental risks. In the circumstances, the activities of the operators of gold-leaching plants were unlawful and harmful to human life, animals, and the environment.

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