Balala Revokes 65 Mining Licences

In a gazette notice, Balala said some licences had expired, while others had been surrendered by the holders. The other licences belonged to companies that were non-performing or non-compliant with the Mining Act provisions and licensing regulations.

The cancellation has left close to 4.5 million acres of land available for exploration.

“From the date of the issuance of this notice, any mining or prospecting activities by these persons or companies over the areas that are subject of the revoked licences shall be illegal,” said Balala.

Some of the companies whose licences have been cancelled include Saharco Group International Company Ltd, Yongtai Mining Company Ltd, Pan African Chemicals Ltd, Laholmes Machinery, African Uranium Kenya Ltd and Bisil Mining Company Ltd.

Others are Bootcut Mining Company Ltd, Garsesala Mining Company Ltd, Cortec Mining Kenya Ltd, Ablun Mining Company Ltd, Anods Enterprises Company and Bosmans Investments Ltd.

Individuals whose licences have been revoked include Collins Kiprono Bett, Harie Kinosthe Ndungu, Depark R. Ravji Patel, Mohamoud Kassim, Miyanji, Ravji Karsan Sanghani and Joseph Ndimau Mutwanthei. 

Breaching licence issuance conditions

In a follow up statement, Mr Balala said the revocation would bring to a close matters before a taskforce inquiring into of mining licences fraudulently acquired during the transition from Presidents Mwai Kibaki to Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration in 2013.

Eight licences were classified as non-compliant having been granted without complying with requirements of the Mining Act and regulations.

Another 46 licences were listed as non-performing and expired for being in breach of the conditions of issuance.

Balala said that a licence expires every year when no application of renewal is made and after five years.

Of the cancelled licences, 11 were surrendered by their holders who wrote to the Commissioner of Mines and Geology.

Most of the affected licences, 15, belong to companies or individuals who were mining or exploring for gypsum.

Thirteen licences were for base and precious metals 13, all mineral types 16, industrial minerals 9, non-precious minerals 8 and gemstones 4.

Of the 65 licences, 55 expired last year, nine expire this year and one was to expire in 2021.

The companies and individuals affected were operating in Kericho, Uasin Gishu, Makueni, Kitui, Taita Taveta, and Nandi. 

Others were operating in Kajiado, Mandera, Samburu, Moyale, Lamu, Kilifi, Malindi, Turkana, Baringo, Kwale, Tana River, Migori and Garissa.

To renew a licence, the holder is expected to invest in exploration work, pay annual fees and rent, surrender the licence area annually, apply for annual renewals to a maximum of five years.

The licensee must also follow the work plan submitted during application, and submit quarterly progress reports in exploration.