This archive report was first published on 5 October 2021.
Published on October 5, 2021, Taita Taveta University is set to empower artisanal miners in the region with modern mining skills through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
David Zowe, the Chairperson for Taita-Taveta Artisanal Miners, emphasized the need for mining empowerment programs to benefit local residents. He noted that such programs should include means by which artisanal miners can access money and equipment to make their activities more efficient.
"The artisanal miners are engaged in labor-intensive activities, while extracting minerals on the ground. They are the bottom chain of mining processes. If they are empowered, they can contribute meaningfully to the economy of the County," said Zowe.
Speaking to KNA, Zowe highlighted the challenges faced by artisanal miners, including lack of equipment, modern mining knowledge, and safety gear. He added that the benefits of the MoU include training on skills such as identifying mineral areas, digging tunnels, and safe use of equipment and dynamites.
Some of the innovative ways artisanal miners are exploring to ease their work include using radios for communication inside tunnels and starting an online platform to boost marketing minerals from the region.
By empowering artisanal miners, Taita Taveta University aims to contribute to the county's economy and improve the lives of local residents.
