Kisumu: The government has announced plans to rehabilitate abandoned mining sites across the country, transforming them into valuable resources for productive use. State Department for Mining Principal Secretary (PS) Elijah Mwangi emphasized that many of these sites, which have been left open, pose dangers to both the environment and public safety.
According to Kenya News Agency, the State Department has initiated a mapping exercise to determine the locations and current status of these mining sites nationwide, a preliminary step in the rehabilitation process. The PS highlighted that through collaboration with other government agencies, these sites will be converted into aquaculture hubs or repurposed for agricultural use. This initiative aims to revitalize areas impacted by mining activities, offering a sustainable solution to environmental degradation and creating new economic opportunities for local communities.
"We are working with the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) to conduct studies on how some of these sites can be utilized for aquaculture," stated Mwangi. He noted that this effort targets large abandoned mining sites now filled with water, while other locations will be refilled and repurposed for agriculture, reforestation, and tourism.
Speaking at the sidelines of the Nyanza International Investment Conference in Kisumu, Mwangi reiterated the government's commitment to restoring these sites to their former productive potential, thereby contributing to food security, job creation, and environmental sustainability. "The rehabilitation of the mining sites will create new aquaculture ventures, which are expected to boost local fish production," he said, adding that refilled sites will provide fertile land for agricultural activities, supporting farmers with additional productive land.
Mwangi also discussed efforts to organize artisanal miners into cooperatives to help them access larger markets for their minerals and secure credit for equipment procurement. The aim is to ensure they have the necessary tools and safety gear to prevent fatalities in the mines. "In this region alone, we have established 52 marketing cooperatives. We are now building their capacity and linking them to financial institutions to access credit," he explained.
The government has hired additional mining engineers and geologists to support artisanal miners in various regions, Mwangi noted. During the same event, Kenya Commercial Bank Director of Cooperative Banking John Okulo announced that the bank has set up a facility to assist artisanal miners in acquiring modern equipment. "Once they are organized into groups, they can access loans of up to Sh. 250 million from KCB to purchase equipment and expand their ventures," Okulo stated.