State begins nationwide mapping of Artisanal Miners to fast-track licensing

The government has launched a nationwide mapping exercise of artisanal miners in a move aimed at formalizing small-scale mining, issuing licences and protecting miners from harassment and exploitation.

Speaking during the Special General Meeting of Kishushe Ranching Cooperative Society Limited in Taita Taveta County on Saturday, the Principal Secretary for Mining Harry Kimtai said the exercise was directed by President William Ruto and seeks to identify where artisanal miners operate so they can be recognized and brought under the law.

He said the government wants to end years of informal operations that have left miners vulnerable to arrest, exploitation by brokers and loss of income.

“The president has also ordered us to look for the artisanal miners so that we know where they work from so that they get their licences,” said Kimtai.

The PS said the Ministry of Mining is already carrying out the mapping exercise in Western Kenya and Nyanza regions and will move to Taita Taveta once the current phase is complete.

According to the PS, the mapping will form the basis for issuing artisanal mining licences and ensuring miners are protected by law.

Kimtai assured miners who have already applied for licenses that the process will be fast-tracked, saying approvals will be completed within two weeks. He urged all artisanal miners who are operating without licences to apply immediately, noting that the ministry will follow up to ensure that every miner is licensed.

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He warned that the government will no longer tolerate brokers and middlemen who exploit artisanal miners by buying minerals at throwaway prices or demanding illegal fees. He warned the brokers that their time is up, adding that the ministry will deal directly with miners and communities.

The PS said formalizing artisanal mining is critical to ensuring that communities benefit from mineral resources found in their areas. He noted that for years, artisanal miners have operated outside the law, making it difficult for the government to plan, regulate the sector or ensure miners benefit from their work.

Kimtai also addressed long-standing concerns over the arrest of artisanal gemstone miners, particularly those dealing in tsavorite. He clarified that mining tsavorite is not a criminal offence, despite the gemstone being classified as a strategic mineral.

“It is not a crime to mine Tsavorite,” he said.

He explained that tsavorite was listed as a strategic mineral because of its high value and importance to the country, not to criminalize artisanal miners. The government, he said, wants to regulate the trade to ensure transparency and proper valuation so that the country and communities earn fair revenue from the gemstone.

“I did a letter to the county government, the administration and the security team that no artisanal miner shall be arrested by the security team because they have a tsavorite,” Kimtai stated.

Under the new framework, artisanal miners will be required to take their gemstones to the Gemstone Centre, where transactions will be recorded to establish the quantity sold, the buyer and the value. The PS said this will help the government track the flow of gemstones and ensure appropriate revenue is collected.

“You are now free to deal with Tsavorite but let’s go through the gemstone Centre so that we know how much of the gemstone has gone where and what is the value,” he said.

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Kimtai added that the government is not opposed to outsiders purchasing gemstones from artisanal miners, but insisted that all buyers must operate through the Gemstone Centre so transactions are documented.

He said the formalization of artisanal mining will also help the government design targeted support programmes for miners, including access to licences, training and safer working conditions.

According to the PS, recognizing artisanal miners is a key step in reducing poverty in mining communities and integrating small-scale mining into the mainstream economy.

The PS further said the Ministry of Mining and the Ministry of Wildlife are working on a framework to guide mining activities in sensitive areas, including national parks, following a presidential directive allowing structured mining in such zones. He said any decision on mining in protected areas will involve consultations with affected communities.

After developing the framework, Kimtai said the government will return to the communities to agree on how mining will be conducted to ensure environmental protection while safeguarding livelihoods.

By Michael Oduor

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