The CS for Mining and the Blue Economy Salim Mvurya has suspended the mining licences awarded to the mining firms located at Chemase in Nandi for 30 days.
Mvurya was speaking on the sidelines of the 19th Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) meeting on Thursday.
This follows a blast that occurred on Monday in an underground mine located on the said parcel of land.
"The deadly blast caused three fatalities with six people being seriously injured," Mvurya said.
He noted that the incident occurred in violation of a court order dated October 18, 2022, by the Environment and lands court in Kapsabet, whereby the court ordered the cessation of mining operations within the mining location.
"Following the incident, my office has deemed it fit to suspend the mining licences awarded to Karebe Gold Mining and the Artisanal mining permit awarded to Cheseret," Mvurya said.
The CS said the suspension of the mining licences is for a period of thirty days to enable investigating agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to bring the offenders to book.
Mvurya said under the mining Act, temporary suspension of mining operations within a mining location is allowed on account of the health and safety of persons employed by the holder of the mining right.
"We are saddened by the loss of lives in the disputed mining locations, and I take this opportunity to issue a message of condolences to the families of the deceased person," he said.
Mvurya said he is committed to collaborating with the security agencies to ensure the safety of all miners.
