- Currently, the company is facing a possible closure following the exhaustion of mineral deposits in the county.
- Efforts to find new mineral reserves through exploration are also growing dim because of the moratorium imposed on mining by the government in 2019.
Image: SHABAN OMAR
Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Florence Bore has said the government is committed to supporting the Australian Mining firm Base Titanium to prolong its mining life in Kwale county.
Currently, the company is facing a possible closure following the exhaustion of mineral deposits in the county.
Efforts to find new mineral reserves through exploration are also growing dim because of the moratorium imposed on mining by the government in 2019.
Base Titanium exports the Titanium ore, (Rutile, Zircon and Ilmenite) to China, Europe, North America and Japan because Kenya lacks the capacity to conduct value addition of the most valuable rare earth mineral deposits.
At the moment, the company has extended its operations to Mafisini and mining activities in North Dune and Bumamani ore body as part of the extended mining lease which was handed to Base last year.
Unfortunately, the mineral deposits in the last block are projected to be depleted at the tail end of 2024.
Already, jitters have started being felt within the community with thousands of people including staff and contractors, fearing job losses and missed business opportunities and development.
Speaking at the mine site during a tour and engagement with the mining affected communities in Kwale on Friday, Bore said Base Titanium is the best investment mining company in the country, and that there is no way the government will let it close considering the many benefits it brings to residents and the Kenyan economy.
According to Base Titanium's 2022 sustainability report, the company has paid taxes accruing to over US$158 million to the Kenyan government since the Kwale mine operations commenced in 2013.
Bore said her visit to the site was meant to streamline things and address challenges affecting the company's mining activities, adding that the government will provide the utmost assistance in keeping mining operations alive.
"We have heard your cries and be assured that Base won't close otherwise I wouldn’t have come here," she said.
Bore said the government is working on lifting the moratorium that was put in place to bring sanity in the mining sector.
The CS said once the ban is removed, the Australian firm will get an opportunity to further its mining explorations in Kwale east to prolong its mining life.
Bore, however, urged the company to properly engage the communities and make peaceful agreements.
"I want to tell the firm to first talk to the locals where the explorations will take place for a smooth and good relationship when the ban is lifted," she said.
The CS said she is already aware that Base Titanium engages with its local communities in a structured and inclusive manner through close collaboration with committees and communities across Kenya.
She said the close collaboration has led to the development of programmes which are based on livelihood improvement, community health, education and community infrastructure.
Bore also recognised Base Titanium's efforts in prioritising the recruitment of local communities via a 'fencing system' that is designed to maximise employment opportunities and project benefits for the local communities.
She said the system has proved highly effective with 72 per cent of the 1,700 employees and contractors in the mine site being drawn from within the county.
The CS hailed the company for increasing the overall percentage of women in its workforce, to maintain female representation in the intake for graduate and apprentice programmes at or above one third and to increase support of women in management roles.
Bore called on other mining companies to emulate Base Titanium mode of operations and environmental conservation mechanisms.
"I challenge all mining companies and individuals to take part in this noble cause of environmental restoration. My ministry commits to engage responsible miners on the support that they require to sustain and grow their operations which leads to creation of jobs," she said.
She emphasised that all miners must comply with the given laws and statutes because the mining sector has been identified as one of the key contributors to environmental degradation in the country.
The CS said responsible mining practices and environmental restoration have become critical components of the mining industry's agenda.
Bore said she is happy that Base Titanium has heavily invested towards mitigating the environmental impact of its activities and restoring the ecosystem.
She said the company has implemented a comprehensive Environmental Management System that seeks to reduce its carbon footprint by reducing energy use and carbon emissions, implementing renewable energy sources, and using innovative technologies to protect the environment.
Base Titanium's External Affairs Manager Simon Wall said the firm is under a tight window to get explorations for new mineral deposits but welcomes government support to prolong mining operations.
He said the company's goal is to continue with the mining activities and go on with supporting the community through educational, health, infrastructure and livelihood programmes among other corporate social responsibility roles.
Wall lauded the continuous support from various national and county leaders in ensuring the success of the company's mining operations.
"We won't take the support of elected leaders for granted. They are always at the front line in seeing smooth operations and that benefits reach the community," he said.
Image: SHABAN OMAR