A multi-agency team of experts has been deployed at Kiangangaru Village in Kiambere ward of Embu County to assess the quality, quantity and extent of coltan deposits discovered in the area.
Launching the verification exercise in Embu yesterday, Mining, Blue Economy and Marine Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvuria said the team is expected to submit their report after one month.
Their report, said Mvuria, will enable the government to start the concessioning process for the in-demand mineral.
Coltan, a grey-black mineral in its pure form, has gained importance during the Electronic Age as a major raw material in the manufacture of mobile phones, computers and other electronic devices.
Eighty percent of the world’s supply comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo where its mining has sometimes been shrouded in controversy with claims that its exploitation is fueling civil war in the country and that child labor is used in its mining.
Mvuria disclosed that the coltan was discovered in Embu and five other counties after an aerial geosurvey of the whole country.
The CS, who was accompanied by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and State Department for Mining Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, said the Government was keen to see the mining sector play a more significant role in the country’s GDP.
He added that previously most mining was in the hands of small-scale artisanal miners who have now been organized into cooperatives through the help of the County Government.
Governor Mbarire said the cooperatives will help the miners lock out exploitative brokers, enable negotiations for better prices, and help miners access suitable equipment.
Mvurìa added that his Ministry is setting up eight quality laboratories in all the regions that will help miners determine the quality of their yields, hence attracting the right prices.
He added that they’ll be building a gold refinery in Kakamega to process gold ore from South Nyanza, Western and West Pokot. Other facilities to process other minerals will be put up wherever the minerals are.
Mvuria further added that they’ll be looking into developing facilities where minerals can be converted into jewellery for value addition instead of being exported raw.
The CS addressed the media in Embu town and later a baraza at Ntharawe in Mbeere South.
By Steve Gatheru
