By Jeff Kizzilah
The Kenyan mining industry with bigger investments propelled by growing hopes of the government lifting a ban on new exploration licenses to tap billions lying in mineral reserves.International investors and local stakeholders in the sector have lined up events that they intend to use to revive investments and push the new administration to lift the moratorium that has locked out billions in capital.The mining act which was enacted in 2016 was to set frameworks and principles and strategies in promoting exploration and exploitation of mine.Therefore as Kenya Chamber of Mines brings together private and government players during Kenya Mines Week ahead of the planned rollout of a national digital mineral map, part of sector-wide reforms.International investment firm JIC Holdings is also planning a mining expo later this year that will bring in investors from around the world to explore Kenya’s untapped mineral wealth.When he represented the Cabinet Secretary of Trade and Industry Hon. Moses Kuria,the Principal Secretary Investments and Promotion Hon. Abubakar Hassan confirms that the State maintains the freeze was necessary for streamlining the sector, mapping mineral resources, and ensuring the validity of permits and activities.He said the mines policy was established to promote the use of technology and airborne geophysical technology.Total earnings from mineral production last year increased 16.6 percent to Sh35.2 billion but experts predict the country has a huge untapped potential.The ministry say that the Mining Act 2016 aims to reform the sector and allow the flow of new investments but the productivity has remained low.The Chairperson of Kenya Chambers of Mines Mr. Patrick Kanyoro has asked all miners to take mining to the next level and lets support the industry because gold is a silver of wealth “,he added