Months after the closure of Dabel Gold Mines in Moyale in Marsabit County and the declaration of the mines as disturbed areas, the government has initiated discussions with all stakeholders to chart a framework for reopening of the mines.
The first meeting convened in Nairobi for key stakeholders, including political and community leaders, opinion shapers, elders, and leaders of artisanal miners from the region, unanimously passed a resolution calling for grassroots community dialogues to permanently address the underlying issues surrounding gold mining in the region.
Speaking during the meeting, Principal Secretary (PS) State Department for Mining Elijah Mwangi said the roadmap to reopening the Dabel mines would bring all stakeholders on board as a way of extensively addressing the challenges that led to the closure.
He stated that the government was committed to overseeing the safe resumption of mining operations at Dabel mines by adopting sustainable strategies that would address issues that formed grounds for the shutdown.
Among the reasons that caused closing down the mines are wanton degradation of the environment, extensive and unregulated use of toxic chemicals in gold processing, a huge influx of illegal foreign miners, and failure to remit required royalties to the community and government.
“We will keep coming together with leaders, communities, and stakeholders to chart a roadmap that will help us see a safe and secure reopening of the gold mines. This is just the first of the many meetings to come,” said the PS.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials and leaders including PS for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development Kello Harsama, Marsabit, Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo, Senator Mohammed Chute, Woman Representative Naomi Waqo, Moyale MP Prof Guyo Jaldessa, and North Horr MP Adhe Warie, amongst other community leaders. The PS for Interior was represented by Principal Administrative Secretary Anne Ngetich. Community leaders and clan elders were also present.
Marsabit Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo said the county was keen on improving the Dabel Mines and the surrounding regions to transform it into a zone safe for human activities and habitation.
He added that with the availability of funds, the county would, amongst others, construct roads, health facilities, and decent accommodation for miners and other investors earning a living from the mines.
“The area needs infrastructure and other social amenities to serve the miners and other people working there. With funds, we can ensure Dabel has a good road network, power, and other essential services,” he said.
Marsabit Woman Representative Naomi Waqo called for more dialogue with all communities and stakeholders for a public participation discourse as the first step of addressing many challenges reported by miners in the region.
She also pointed out that the government needed to ensure the safety of the mines in the region.
“All stakeholders must be involved in dialogue to talk about all issues that make mining a challenge in this region. This will be the first step to resolve any underlying issues for this critical sector,” she said.
On March 14th, the government issued a gazette notice shutting down the Dabel mines. The closure was necessitated by genuine security concerns after a number of miners were fatally wounded in skirmishes triggered by mining disputes.
Additionally, there were reports of unprecedented degradation of land and a massive surge in illegal mining operations that saw the county and communities lose huge amounts of money in lost revenue.
As the road map for reopening of the mines and restoration of order and sanity in the gold mining operations, the government stated that no operation will resume until all modalities that will ensure safety, peace, and harmony in the region are adopted.
As part of enforcing the no-operation directive, officers from the Mining Police Unit would be deployed to support the security agencies deployed to guard the mines.
One of the sustainable ways identified to restore order in Dabel mines is the adoption of Artisanal Miners Marketing Cooperatives as vehicles for gold exploitation in the region.
With registered officials and structures in place, the cooperatives were seen as offering a sustainable solution and an answer to the menace of illegal mining activities, the influx of illegal foreign miners, and environmental degradation. Data shows there are 12 registered miners’ marketing cooperatives in Marsabit County with hundreds of members.
The meeting also resolved that the county government would ascertain the status and ownership of land where the mines are located, which would be used to inform any decision on the allocation and delineation of areas for the mining groups.
By Wagema Mwangi
