Kenya on Wednesday, January 24 announced that it had found significant deposits of coltan mineral within its borders.
Coltan, a grey-black mineral in its pure form, is precious during this electronic age as it is a major raw material in the manufacture of mobile phones, computers and other electronic devices.
Eighty (80) percent of the rare metallic mineral is found in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but Mining, Blue Economy and Marine Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurìa said adequate deposits had been found in six counties.
Subsequently, a multi-agency team of experts has been deployed at Kiangangaru Village in Kiambere ward of Embu County to assess the quality, quantity and extent (economic viability) of the coltan deposits discovered in the area.
The team, CS Mvurya says, is expected to report after one month.
“It is now official, we have coltan deposits in the country and we want to see how we can inspire investors,” CS Mvurya said.
The other counties that coltan deposits have been found include; Samburu, Turkana, West Pokot and Tana River.
The CS, who was accompanied by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, said the Government was keen to see the mining sector play a more significant role in the country’s GDP.
He added that previously most mining was in the hands of small scale artisanal miners who have now been organized into cooperatives through the help of the County Government.
Gov Mbarire said the cooperatives will help the miners lock out exploitative brokers, enable negotiations for better prices and help miners access suitable equipment.
80 laboratories
Mvurìa added that his ministry is setting up 80 quality laboratories in all the regions that will help miners determine the quality of their yields, hence attracting the right prices.
He added that they’ll be building a gold refinery at Kakamega to process gold ores from South Nyanza, Western and West Pokot. Other facilities to process other minerals will be put up where the minerals are.
He also added that they’ll be looking into developing facilities where minerals can be turned into jewellery for higher value instead of being exported raw.
