The fluorspar mining company which stopped operations nine years ago will come back to life within the next six months reviving the hopes of hundreds of residents in Keiyo South Sub County and the larger Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Mining Salim Mvurya assured the over 200 families who gave up their 4,329 parcels of land for the establishment of the company they will be compensated even as the investor Fujax-Soy who will pump in Sh4.8 billion starts operations.
The CS said his Ministry will ensure that the company strictly adheres to the Mining Act of 2016 where 70% of royalties will be paid to the National Treasury, 20% to the County Government while 10% will go to the local community.
He added that as part of CSR, the company will also work with the community to improve schools, hospitals and other basic services for the period they will be operating in the area.
The CS said the company will not only hire locals who are qualified for the various positions but will also ensure that they are given tenders to supply various goods.
He also instructed the PS Mining Elijah Mwangi who was present to ensure that a testing laboratory was established in the area so that testing and sampling of the minerals was done locally.
The PS said the company had been given a lease period of 25 years saying the land occupied by the company is still government property and that once the lease period is over, the land and all movable assets will revert back to the government.
He added that the government will own 15% of the company’s shares saying that to protect government interests and those of the community, a Director will be appointed by the government will be part of the company’s board of directors.
The Fujax company UK regional Director Hendrick Ryst pledged to work with the local community in reviving the Flourspar company.
Leaders led by the Governor Wisley Rotich, senator William Kisang, Women rep Jane Ngelechei and area MP Gideon Kimaiyo pledged to support the company saying it will not only offer employment opportunities to the youth but also increase revenue to the county.
Youth leader Bernard Chemase called on the youth to form youth groups where they can be get loans from banks and purchase lorries to benefit from transporting the minerals.
By Alice Wanjiru
