Taita varsity to offer premier mining course, Balala says

Taita-Taveta University College (TTUC) will be the only university offering mining studies in Kenya, Mining Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has said.

Mr Balala said the national government will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the university authorities to establish a national mining school.

Balala said apart from establishing the mining school, the Government is also constructing a Sh50 million gemology centre in Voi town to add value to gemstones.

"The gemology centre will be completed in six months. It will help local miners to not only add value to their gemstones but also do away with brokers who have persistently been exploiting local miners," he said.

Speaking in Voi town yesterday, Balala told local residents and leaders to stop fighting Wanjala Mining Company that is extracting iron ore in the region.

The CS defended the company saying it was mining iron ore in the region legally.

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Incessant wrangles

"The mining company was given a licence to work by the Government and should not be interfered with by the locals and leaders. Incessant wrangles over the ownership of the land rich in iron ore is discouraging investment and must stop," said Balala.

The CS however said the Government had in 2013 declined to give the company a special mining licence.

"We want harmony between the residents and the investor. We are still waiting for a report from the governor on the way forward to the ownership of the disputed mining field," he said.

Balala said the investor's mining licence had not expired as claimed by some people in the region.

"The investor has a licence which is renewable after every three years. He should be left alone to continue mining to help improve the socio-economic status of the local community," he said.

As a measure to deal with the endless wrangles, the CS said the Government had established a liaison unit which will help create dialogue and resolve issues involving the investors and the local community.

"The liaison unit will carry out capacity building to bring dialogue and resolve mining related issues," he said.

Balala said the national government, in conjunction with the county government, is carrying out geo-scientific coal exploration for industrial development.

Coal was first reported in the Mui Basin during a regional geological survey conducted in the 1940s.

It has also been intercepted while drilling for other resources in areas like Kwale, Kilifi and Taita Taveta.