The Ministry of Mines has condemned illegal gypsum mining in the country and accused cement companies of buying the essential mineral from unlicensed sources.
In a meeting with cement companies, Mining Minister Hasan Joho said that companies that buy products from illegal workers are violators and will be prosecuted.
According to CS Joho, no one in Kenya obtains a permit to mine gypsum, used in cement production to prevent the rock from hardening when mixed with water and cooled.
Gypsum, which is abundant in the northeast, Kajiado and some coastal areas, has caused unrest in places like Garissa, leading to the killing of many miners and the banning of mining. Mining operations have been permitted.
- Advertisement -
“There is no record of any gypsum business owner producing, paying taxes and fees or providing services to the community because they are operating illegally,” Joho said. “Let’s do the right thing and ask our suppliers to get a licence, if that’s what it takes, we will get it approved quickly,” he added.
Representatives from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) said they would abide by the law and called on the government to allow investment in legal mining. This would include mapping the mining area and negotiating with potential sellers.
The mining sector contributes 0.7% to Kenya’s total GDP. According to South Korea’s National Bureau of Statistics, the country’s economy shrank by 11 per cent in the third quarter of last year. The sector suffered further losses when Base Titanium stopped mining operations in Kwale County in December last year.
In August, local leaders in Garissa called on the government to lift a ban on extracting essential minerals, which was set to be implemented in 2023 to address conflict and security issues in the mines.
