The national government and key players in the mining industry have pledged to work together to rejuvenate and expand the country’s gemstone sector.
This was announced on Friday in Taita Taveta County during the Gemstone Summit at the Gemstone Centre in Voi.
This initiative promises to harness the collective strength of both governmental support and artisanal miners’ expertise to transform Kenya into a leading global hub for gemstone mining and trade.
This year’s Summit, dubbed “Tsavorite Week,” focuses on promoting the Tsavorite stone, a unique green garnet mined in several parts of Kenya.
The government has declared Tsavorite a strategic mineral to protect it, boost production, support small-scale miners, and enhance marketing and branding efforts.
The summit also celebrated the inauguration of the Voi Gemstone Value Addition and Marketing Centre by President William Ruto in October 2023.
This centre aims to promote ethical trade, traceability, and responsible sourcing of gemstones.
The Gemstone Summit drew stakeholders from various counties, bringing together key players from the mining industry.
It highlighted the importance of collaboration, sustainable development, and the growth of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) while emphasising the collective efforts to enhance Kenya’s mining sector.
Speaking during the event, Dr Patrick Kanyoro, the chairperson of the Kenya Chamber of Mines, emphasized the need for cooperation and compliance with regulatory frameworks, urging stakeholders to unite for mutual benefit.
He encouraged miners to participate in multiple business organisations to facilitate their mining activities.
“We must engage the government rationally and ensure we contribute to tax revenues for our own growth as well as for national development,” Kanyoro said.
Edward Omito, the Acting CEO of the National Mining Corporation (NAMICO), lauded the government for its substantial investments in the gemstone sector, stating that the state has injected over Sh50 million into the Gemstone Value Addition and Marketing Centre.
He also highlighted Kenya’s rich diversity of gemstones, including green garnet, tourmaline, ruby, and sapphire, found across numerous counties.
In his speech, delivered by Omito, the State Department for Mining Principal Secretary (PS), Elijah Mwangi, highlighted recent regulatory advancements under the Mining Act 2016.
These include the publication of new regulations and the lifting of the mining moratorium, which has been in place since 2018.
“The mining moratorium which had been in place since 2018 has also been lifted, which is a big milestone as people interested in mining can now apply for mining licenses and permits to make the industry more robust,” read part of his speech.
Mwangi stated that these changes are designed to foster sustainable governance and revitalize the mining industry by allowing new licenses and permits.
He praised the Association of Women in Energy and Extractives in Kenya (AWEIK) and the Kenya Chamber of Mines for their invaluable support to the mining industry.
He reiterated that the government has initiated several measures to support small-scale miners, including forming mining and marketing cooperative societies to facilitate organized mining operations and make it easier for miners to receive assistance.
Additionally, he noted that more mining committees have been established to issue permits and delineate productive mining areas.
Mwangi emphasized that the summit’s objective is to foster ideas to improve the gemstone industry, attract investors, and enhance the capacity of small-scale miners.
He highlighted the importance of market days, stating that they provide small-scale miners with access to buyers and ensure fair trade practices.
PS Mwangi encouraged gemstone traders to import and trade gemstones from other countries in Kenya, aiming to make Kenya a global gemstone hub.
He reiterated the government’s openness to stakeholder input and collaboration to grow the mining industry.
“I encourage our gemstone traders to venture outside our borders to bring gemstones from other countries and trade on them in Kenya to make Kenya a gemstone hub just like we have other hubs like Hong Kong and Bangkok,” said the PS.
Dan Odida, Chair of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners Association of Kenya (ASMAK), highlighted the crucial role of ASM, stating that it constitutes over 80% of Kenya’s mining industry.
He praised the government’s efforts in promoting cooperatives and formalizing the sector.
“We have seen significant progress with the establishment of artisanal mining committees responsible for issuing permits. This legal recognition is pivotal for the sector’s future,” Odida noted.
He called on miners to join cooperatives and regional associations to strengthen their representation and mobilization efforts.
“I appreciate the fact that artisanal and small-scale miners in the country have recently embraced the government’s ideology of coming up with cooperatives and I want to believe Taita Taveta, Kwale, and many other counties have been demonstrating the same and this is a good gesture towards formalisation of the industry,” he said.
Arch. Martin Tairo, CECM for Mining, Physical Planning, and Lands in Taita Taveta County, reiterated the county government’s commitment to supporting the national government’s initiatives in the mining sector for the industry’s growth and the subsequent growth in the economic status of the county.
“The county government is keen to work collaboratively with mining stakeholders. Our goal is to ensure the success of the mining sector through partnership and support,” he said.
The Voi Gemstone Value Addition and Marketing Centre, commissioned by President William Ruto in October 2023, aims to promote ethical trade, traceability, and responsible sourcing of gemstones.
The centre collaborates with various stakeholders and hosts market days to help small-scale miners sell their gemstones to licensed dealers and overseas buyers.
By leveraging this collaborative approach, stakeholders noted that Kenya will position itself as a premier destination for gemstone mining and trade on the global stage.
By Arnold Linga Masila
