Law delays Kenyan mining

IRJ Aug 6 - Kenya’s ambition to grow national wealth from minerals faces uncertainty as the government has delayed new mining laws that could set the stage for large-scale production.

The Mines and Geology Department said “slow legislative process has dimmed the prospects for the implementation of legal reforms that seek to encourage large scale mining in the country”.

“The new laws are still at the Attorney General’s chambers and there is nothing we can do or plan based on them until they are cleared for use,” said Deputy Commissioner S.M. Kimomo.

The Kenyan government revised the Mining Act last year, modifying it to the Mining and Minerals Act in a bid to attract foreign investment and to improve the sector’s profitability.