Transforming Kenya’s Mining Landscape: Fostering Inclusivity and Sustainable Growth – Ghana’s Pivotal Contributions

The Kenya Chamber of Mines (KCM) and the Association of Women in Energy and Extractives in Kenya (AWEIK) jointly organized the Kenya Mining Week on 17th – 18th July 2023 at Radisson Blu, Upperhill, Nairobi. The event aimed to address crucial aspects of Kenya’s mining sector and promote economic growth with a focus on inclusivity.

Emerging Issues and Recommendations:

Policy and Legal Issues:

• Amend the Mining Act 2016 to include Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) and establish clear coexistence guidelines with Large-scale Mining (LSM).
• Promote compliance with legal frameworks for responsible and sustainable mining practices.
• Ensure legal recognition of all stakeholders in the mining sector to ensure equitable benefits.
• Establish an institutional framework to support ASM, considering their unique needs and challenges.

Economic Agenda – Production Challenges for Minerals:

• Foster value chain development and local mineral refinement to drive economic growth.
• Strengthen partnerships between the government and stakeholders to leverage strengths for mutual benefit.
• Prioritize investment in critical minerals for energy transition and sustainable development.
• Increase revenue contribution beyond 1% of gross revenue for community development.
• Streamline the minerals value-addition process to maximize economic gains.
• Address financial challenges faced by ASM, including access to collateral for financial assistance.

Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Agenda:

• Utilize freely available land use data for sustainable development and local use of development minerals.
• Find repurposing solutions for development minerals waste.
• Capitalize on existing environmental legislation to facilitate energy transition.
• Emphasize responsible mining practices for sustainable development.
• Implement tools and measures to reduce mercury and cyanide use, curbing environmental degradation.

Technology Agenda:

• Embrace the latest technology, such as AI and ML, to drive innovation and development in the mining industry.
• Leverage technology for monitoring carbon emissions to reduce environmental impact.

Strategies for Action: Appeal to the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs to take the following actions:

• Lift the moratorium on the issuance of mining licenses and permits to accelerate mining activities.
• Collaborate with industry stakeholders to fast-track the review of the Mining Act 2016 to align it with current needs.
• Ratify international legal instruments to address challenges relevant to Kenya’s mining sector, particularly concerning ASM.
• Involve academia to build institutional capacity and enhance mining workforce skills.
• Grant legal recognition to ASM players, allowing them access to benefits enjoyed by other stakeholders.
• Establish a fund to promote access to finance for mining equipment, especially for ASM operators.
• Improve the cadastre system to enhance transparency, efficiency, and transformative potential.
• Facilitate ease of doing business in the mining sector through collaboration with other relevant government departments.

The Kenya Chamber of Mines (KCM) and the Association of Women in Energy and Extractives in Kenya (AWEIK) are committed to working with the government and stakeholders to realize these recommendations and ensure sustainable and inclusive growth in Kenya’s mining sector. Notably, Mr. Godwin Nickleson Amarh, the General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners who is also the CEO of Transeco, and considered an expert in Artisanal Small Scale Mining, also participated and contributed valuable insights during the event.