Ministry of Mining (Kenya)
| Wizara ya Madini | |
 Logo of the Ministry of Mining | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | March 4, 2013 |
| Preceding agency |
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| Headquarters |
Kenya Works Building, Ngong Road P.O. Box 30009, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya[1] |
| Annual budget | KES. 2 billion |
| Agency executives |
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| Website | mining.go.ke |
The Ministry of Mining of the Republic of Kenya is a Kenyan government ministry that oversees the Mineral sector in the country.
The Ministry was established as an independent ministry after the 2013 general elections. The government realized that the mining industry had the potential to spur the countries economic growth . Previous to its establishment all mining related activities in Kenya were overseen by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
Hon. Najib Balala a jubilee government principle was appointed as the first Cabinet Secretary to run the newly formed ministry.
History
The ministry has been pursuing changes in the mining sector. In 2013, the ministry revoked 31 mining licenses for minerals ranging from base and precious metals, industrial minerals, non-precious minerals and gemstones.[2] As of 2015 the number rose to 65. The ministry claimed that the contracts were issued under unclear circumstances.[3]
In the time between January and May 2013 out of all 500 mining licenses issued only 20 were found credible. revocation of the 65 licenses by 2015 the Ministry of Mining opened up 4.5 million acres of land to new explorers.[3]
Mandate
The overall mandate of the ministry is to oversee the mineral sector in Kenya but more specifically to:[1]
- Oversee the exploration of minerals
- Oversee the development of the mining sector
- Oversee and set mining policies and the management of resources
- Oversee and map current resources available in Kenya
- Set general policy for the industry
- Set standards for Health and Safety in Mines
- To maintain accurate and current Geological Data
Directorates
These are the directorates of the ministry that help organise the ministry's functions. They include:[1]
- Directorate of Mineral Management and regulations
- Directorate of Geological Surveys
- Directorate of mineral promotion and value addition
- Directorate of Mine health, safety and environment
- Directorate of resource surveys and remote sensing
- Directorate of corporate affairs
- Geo-data centre and minerals certification laboratory
- Mineral audit agency
- Policy, strategy, research, legal, and capacity building agency
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 About the Ministry of Mining | Kenya. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
- ↑ Balala revokes 31 mining licences. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
- 1 2 Balala revokes licences of 65 mining companies. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
External links
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