Small scale miners to receive state funding, says CS Mining

TAITA, KENYA: Small scale miners will be the major beneficiaries of the new Mining Bill, which came into operation last week, Mining Cabinet Secretary Dan Kazungu has said.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, the miners will receive financial support from the county and national governments to purchase equipment to effectively engage in mining activities

"Access to market has been a major challenge to the small scale miners. Under the new law, the government will create market for the small scale miners," said the CS.
He at the same time announced that Taita Taveta University College (TTUC) will be the only university offering mining studies in the country.
The CS said the government will soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the university authorities to establish the National Mining School.
Kazungu was flanked by County Governor John Mruttu and Voi MP Jones Mlolwa among other local leaders.
The establishment of the mining school comes at a time when the country is grappling with shortages of mining engineers.
Mr Kazungu said apart from establishing the mining school, the government is also constructing a Sh 50 million gemology centre in Voi town to add value to gemstones. The project, he said will be completed by the end of December this year.
The CS said the gemology centre will also increase the number of artisanal and small-scale miners trained in management policies, practices and technologies that markedly reduce the environmental damage done by the ongoing mining operations.