State urged to invest in survey to map Kenya's mineral wealth

By ALLY JAMAH

Kenya may never know what mineral wealth it has unless the Government speedily commissions a national Geophysical survey.

Top officials of the Kenya Chamber of Mines (KCM) are pushing for the Sh4 billion survey that involves a systematic geological mapping of the country’s land surface to determine the likely minerals underneath.

"The survey will give us an idea on what minerals can be explored in what parts of the country with a reasonable degree of certainty. It will boost exploration and increase chances of minerals being found," said KCM Chairman Cedric Simonet.

The mineral expert explained that Turkana and West Pokot could have significant potential for producing large quantities of gold as well as in North Eastern, Central and Eastern provinces.

Base metals like Nickel, Chrome, Iron Ore, Lead, Zinc and Titanium might also be available in many parts of the country. Crude oil is not considered a mineral.

Yield minerals

"But unless the geophysical survey is done, we may not know which areas can yield which minerals, and where exploration can take place," he said.

Chamber CEO, Monica Gichuhi, said only 10 per cent of Kenya’s territory has been mapped for minerals, with much of the data being obsolete having been gathered in the 1980s.

"We need up-to-date information that covers all parts of the country. Only then can we see active exploration begin to boost discovery of minerals," she said.

The CEO said since the survey would be costly, only the Government can invest in the exercise to unlock the mineral wealth.

Gachoka MP, Mutava Musyimi, also the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Lands and Natural Resources, has supported the proposal.

"We could shift our dependence on Agriculture whose fortunes depend on the weather and move into mining, making our economy more stable," he said. He lamented that minerals were contributing only one per cent to the GDP, saying the figure should be higher.