Ballast and Iron ore quarries and mines in Kilifi County risk being closed over use of poor mining techniques, and subjection of workers to inhumane working environments.
The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) Complains Committee has ordered for a probe into the mines within the area, also over claims of use of poor tools.
The committee received information that the mines have also subjected locals to dangerous living standards, with houses hanging on the edges of the mines.
Consequently, Committee Secretary John Chumo has directed hydrologists, environmentalists and geologists to look into the safety of the mines and quarries.
"A meeting should be organised that will bring together residents and miners and all other stakeholders to address the issue raised here,” he said a quoted by Standard.
Chumo said the committee has also observed that mining companies have caused sink holes in the region, which are also endangering the lives of children who are playing near them.
Jaribuni MCA Masha Maitha confirmed that the mining activities have contributed to pollution affecting over 20,000 people in her ward.
However, despite appearing dangerous, the mines are a source of livelihood for some Kenyans, among them Khadija Suleiman, who works as an iron ore miner.
She says that proceeds from the job have gone a long way in helping her fend for her seven kids.
“It is a tiresome work and in order to meet my demands, I have to extract a maximum of 15 wheelbarrows of iron ore in a day whereby each wheelbarrow cost Sh80,” she said.