THE Sh50 million gemstone processing centre being built in Voi town, Taita Taveta county, will be opened in July, Mining CS Dan Kazungu has said.
Touring the factory on Saturday, he said the construction will be completed by March.
“Installation of equipment and machinery is ongoing until end of June, before the first gemstone is processed and packed for export,” Kazungu said.
The CS said the government is focused on adding value to locally processed minerals to help miners sell their products at good prices.
He said the mineral processing centre will host financial institutions, Kenya Revenue Authority offices, an exhibition gallery and gemstones shops.
The centre is meant to be used for cutting, valuing and packaging gemstones for sale at the international market, Kazungu said.
Small-scale miners have complained they lack good markets for their gemstones.
They seek buyers from abroad, while others travel to Tanzania to sell gemstones.
This results in Kenya losing revenue.
