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Principal Secretary for Mining Elijah Mwangi led senior officials from the State Department for Mining in commissioning and operationalizing the County Artisanal Mining Committees (AMCs) for Kwale and Kilifi County Governments. This initiative is expected to significantly boost artisanal mining operations in the region.
The event saw the attendance of senior national and county government officials, including the Deputy County Commissioners for Lunga Lunga and Mombasa, County Secretary for Kilifi County Martin Mwaro, and Kwale County CECM for Environment Saumu Beta, among others.
According to the Mining Act 2016, AMCs are crucial to implementing major reforms in the mining sector. These committees play vital roles in evaluating mining applications submitted by artisanal miners at the county level. They are mandated by law to offer advice on the granting, approving, or revocation of licenses for mineral rights applicants.
The ongoing commissioning of AMCs is a strategic intervention by the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs aimed at enhancing the ease of acquiring licenses for artisanal miners. The ultimate objective is to legalize their operations and eradicate the prevalence of illegal mining activities in Kenya.
“The commissioning of these committees marks a pivotal step in formalizing artisanal mining, providing miners with the necessary support and oversight to operate legally and sustainably,” stated PS Elijah Mwangi during the event.
The state department for mining is actively working towards inducting and commissioning AMCs in other counties to bolster support for artisanal miners across Kenya. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable and responsible mining practices, ensuring that artisanal miners can contribute to the economy while adhering to legal and environmental standards.
The operationalization of these committees is expected to streamline the licensing process, providing artisanal miners with a more structured and supportive framework to conduct their activities. This move is anticipated to enhance productivity, safety, and environmental compliance within the artisanal mining sector, ultimately benefiting the local communities and the broader economy.
