This archive report was first published on 8 July 2021.
Government Shuts Down Mining Sites in Homa Bay Over Safety Concerns ¶
Thursday, July 08, 2021
The National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) has ordered the closure of two mining sites in Rachuonyo South sub-county in Homa Bay County due to safety concerns.
The sites, which were operating without the necessary approvals, posed a significant risk to the lives of the miners and the local community.
According to Nema, the operators of the sites failed to obtain the required permits and environmental impact assessment reports, which are necessary for mining activities.
Seven operators were arrested during a joint operation between Nema officials and police, and four people were arrested at the site in Kaduda.
The government has expressed concern over the mushrooming of illegal mining sites in Homa Bay County, which could lead to serious injuries or even death.
Residents in the area have been approached by private investors who have reached an agreement with local land owners to scoop soil with iron ore deposits for sale.
However, the mining activities have been carried out without regard for safety, with some sites left open and dangerous burrows and pits filled with water.
Nema Director Josiah Nyandoro accused the operators of encroaching on government land in search of iron ore and warned that the mining activities could lead to the loss of land for agriculture.
"Nema is advocating for a clean and healthy environment. The only people who will suffer at the end of the mining exercise are locals because they will have no land for agriculture. We have engaged Kenya Forest Service (KFS) on the issue of encroachment," he said.
At the gold mine in Kosele, residents discovered gold and embarked on a gold rush, but they did not consider safety as they dug up the ground in search of the precious mineral.
The tunnels dug by the miners have horizontal shafts leading to areas where gold deposits are believed to exist, posing a significant risk to the lives of the miners.
Nema officials have expressed concern over the use of chemicals, mostly sodium cyanide, in gold mining, which poses serious health risks to the locals.
The agency has asked the institution to apply for an environmental impact assessment on the ongoing project and warned that the law is clear about environmental issues.
