Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Mining and the Blue Economy Mr. Salim Mvurya has said plans are in place to train and equip artisanal miners.
The CS said the government also intend to legalize their mining activities in a move to promote economic empowerment, adding that it has initiated drastic reforms in the mining sector so as to enable the miners to operate professionally and in a safe environment.
Mvurya said this while on a fact-finding mission at Viyalo mines in Sabatia Sub County on Monday. “We also want to establish a granite factory at Buyangu in Emuhaya Sub County so as to create jobs and uplift the livelihoods of the residents,” he observed.
The team visited the granite factory site at Buyangu where the minister assured residents that once an investor comes on board, operations will start immediately. The CS added that Vihiga is among Counties well-endowed with natural resources that can be exploited to spur economic growth.
The area Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo appealed to the National government to set up a gold refinery in the region so that the miners get the market for the commodity.
The absence of safety structures and regulations has seen artisanal mining witness occasional tragedies through collapse of the mines.
By Sammy Mwibanda
