Mining CS Dan Kazungu during a past media breifing. He has said he is up to the task to transform the mining sector. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
The mining industry is set for growth after government created a pool of mining professionals tasked to raise the industry’s contribution to the economy.Mining Cabinet Secretary Dan Kazungu said the ministry has formed a team to develop a framework of setting up a national mining institute for training Kenyan professionals.“The terms of reference of the committee include identifying the mandate and scope of the institute, developing MoU for co-operation with other institutions and identifying stakeholders who can contribute to the National Mining Institute,” the CS said in a May 19 gazette notice.Mining currently contributes a paltry less than one percent of Gross Domestic Product with most of the sector’s activities controlled by unskilled and semi-skilled artisans and foreigners.The nine-member team will be headed by the Director of Mining Raymond Mutiso. It will be expected to create a funding mechanism for the institute, propose linkages with global partners and identify research areas.Other members include Commissioner of Mines Shadrack Kimumo, University of Nairobi Geology lecturer Daniel Ichangi, Taita Taveta University Geology don Arthur Ndegwa and Jeniffer Haiwenge.Others are Bernard Muchunku, Ilashir Mursal, Elijah Obwori and Kennedy Ndegwa.