Gold mining. [Photo/businessdaily]
Although lack of extensive data on mineral deposits has curtailed investment in Kenya unlike in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Botswana, and South Africa, with proper structures in place, the country can join the league of leading mineral-rich African countries. But is the mineral take off plane even on the runway?
For instance, what has Ministry of Mining done to build the capacity of its staff and educate communities with mining potential and Kenyans at large about Mining Act, 2016 and subsidiary legislation, the Mining Regulations?
Further, does the government actually know what is happening beneath the surface where these companies have erected machinery to scoop the natural wealth bestowed upon this country? Better still, does Ministry of Mining have a capacity and wherewithal to know what these companies are doing because, from discussions with some of the mining companies, the ministry officials have never paid them a visit, even after several invitations?
Even more fundamentally, is Kenya getting its due from these minerals in terms of taxes and royalties? Even more depressing, are the local communities that have given consent for mining to take place earning their due compensation for the mineral and land lost to mining?
Are these companies adhering to the law by signing and implementing community development agreements that outline the projects to be implemented to benefit the local community? Last, but not least, does the government through ministries of Mining and National Treasury, together with Kenya Revenue Authority have the capacity to establish how much these companies are extracting for export and whether the country is getting its fair share in terms of taxes and royalties?
The construction of Base Titanium, which has been mining Ilmenite, Rutile and Zircon ores before shipping them for export since February 2014 has been a success story that has shaped the local mining sector, which hitherto had largely remained untapped five decades since the country got independence.