The government has been urged to expedite the establishment and licensing of mining operations in Kenya. The Mining Engineers Society of Kenya (MESK) has raised concerns about the impending closure of Base Titanium, Kenya’s largest mining company located in Kwale County. This closure, set for December, could lead to significant job losses and a sharp decline in government revenue from the mining sector.
Base Titanium, which accounts for 65 percent of Kenya’s mineral exports, has eight pending prospecting licenses. If granted, these licenses would allow the company to continue exploration and potentially invest in future commercial mining.
Joseph Komu, chairman of MESK, stressed the seriousness of the situation, particularly for communities surrounding the mine site, which will be hardest hit by the closure. “There is an urgent need to fast-track the licensing of vetted mining companies, especially as Base Titanium winds down,” Komu said.
He highlighted the current backlog in licensing and warned that continued delays could leave many qualified mining professionals unemployed. “With the government’s focus on youth employment, sectors like mining, which offer significant opportunities similar to agriculture, should be prioritized,” Komu added.
Komu also called for the ministry to engage sector experts in strategic decision-making and the review of potential mining projects to sustain sector growth and enhance job creation. He recommended special support for exploration projects to boost the likelihood of discovering large-scale mining ventures.
Additionally, MESK has urged Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho to convene a stakeholder meeting with industry members to discuss strategies for driving the sector in a more sustainable direction. Such discussions would aim to prevent the closure of major companies, increase the sector’s economic contribution, and create more jobs for Kenyans.
The society recently conducted a familiarization and benchmarking tour of Base Titanium to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange on mining practices. The visit provided valuable insights into Base Titanium’s advanced mining techniques, sustainability efforts, and community engagement initiatives.
Currently, the mining sector contributes less than one percent of Kenya’s GDP. However, experts believe it could contribute between four and ten percent with the right policies and investments. MESK has called on the Ministry of Mining to take immediate action to unlock this potential by streamlining licensing processes, encouraging local and foreign investments, and promoting sustainable mining practices.
