- Several stone and sand quarries in the region were shut down but people have been sneaking into the mines.
- Wafula noted that the prohibited mining activities have contributed to land disputes, land degradation and illegal connection of electricity that endangers the lives of the miners and the surrounding community.
Image: SHABAN OMAR
The National Environment Management Authority has announced plans to launch a crackdown on illegal mining of industrial construction materials in Kwale county.
County Nema Director Godfrey Wafula said the crackdown is meant to disrupt the value chain of illegal mining of sand and stones in the market.
Several stone and sand quarries in the region were shut down but people have been sneaking into the mines.
Wafula noted that the prohibited mining activities have contributed to land disputes, land degradation and illegal connection of electricity that endangers the lives of the miners and the surrounding community.
"Sometimes they mine in private lands causing conflicts and also results in irresponsible mining since no one takes the responsibility of rehabilitating the mined areas," he said.
In Kwale, several people have in the past lost lives due to mine collapse thus leading to the closure.
Wafula said the ban is still effective, adding that they have already started investigating some of the illegal mines and unlicensed sand and stone businesses.
He said the crackdown targets both the consumer and the seller for promoting unlawful acts.
Wafula said they will be going after lorries carrying sand, stones and pebbles that will fail to provide the necessary licenses.
He said the owners will be required to produce legal documents and reveal the sources of their products.
"Anyone who will be found transporting sand or stones from unlicensed quarries has a case to answer," he said.
Wafula said the law won't go easy on the perpetrators and they will all be brought to book.
The director said they will also be monitoring the licensed mines to ensure they abide by the given rules and regulations.
He said those who would have violated the regulations risk having their licenses revoked, a jail term and huge fines.
Wafula said Nema gave out a clear guideline and laws expected to govern mining activities, adding that all those who seek to operate in the sector should follow laws to the letter.
The Nema officer advised the small-scale miners to form cooperatives."It is always hard for an individual to meet all the required threshold unlike when you are in a recognised group," he said.
Wafula said through the cooperatives, the artisanal miners can gather appropriate resources, licenses and equipment to effectively venture in to sustainable mining business.
The officer said they won't spare anyone, adding that Nema is keen on protecting lives and the environment from destruction.
He said whether an individual operates on small or large scale, they must adhere to the necessary measures put in place to regulate the sector.
"Anyone operating in this industry must follow the legal process to prevent ecological deterioration, pollution and work in a safe environment," he said.
Regional Mining officer Fred Wafula said the government will soon decentralise mining registration and licensing to county levels to bring services closer to citizens.
He said the services will enhance mining activities and called upon artisanal miners to take advantage of it to register and grow their mining businesses.