Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Hassan Ali Joho has issued a warning to Kenyans involved in the illegal prospecting, mining, and trading of three strategic minerals. These minerals—Copper, Coltan, and Chromite—were among 14 minerals declared strategic in November 2023 by former Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya.
In a statement dated September 15, 2024, Joho emphasized that activities related to these minerals must be conducted in partnership with The National Mining Corporation (NAMICO).
“The Cabinet, in its meeting on October 3, 2023, declared 14 minerals as strategic. This designation means that any activities related to these minerals—whether prospecting, mining, trading, dealing, or processing—must be carried out by or in partnership with NAMICO. Consequently, on November 3, 2023, I gazetted these 14 Strategic Minerals in Gazette Notice No. 14732,” Joho said.
He warned, “Dealing in any strategic minerals contrary to the Mining Act, 2016, and The Mining (Strategic Minerals) Regulations, 2017, is an offense punishable by law. Despite our robust measures to protect these strategic minerals, it has come to our attention that some individuals are illegally prospecting, mining, and dealing in Copper, Coltan, and Chromite.”
The 14 strategic minerals declared by the government are Cobalt, Copper, Lithium, Niobium, Coltan, Tantalum, Tin, Tsavorite, Nickel, Graphite, Chromite, Thorium, Uranium, and other rare earths. These minerals have been reserved for government-controlled exploitation due to their significance in the economy, geopolitics, and national defense.
Joho further stated, “Such actions are in complete disregard of the law protecting these minerals, and those involved are operating in violation of the Mining Act, 2016, and the Mining (Strategic Minerals) Regulations, 2017. This is to notify the public that anyone found dealing with these minerals in violation of these laws will face legal consequences. Our Ministry is committed to enforcing reforms in the mining sector fully, including protecting our strategic minerals from those seeking to exploit them unlawfully for personal gain.”
