The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has halted all mining activities within the Kambi Karai and Lami Nyeusi region along River Turkwel in Sigor Constituency.
According to NEMA, the closure was necessitated by the numerous complaints it has been receiving on the illicit mining points along the River Turkwel in Turkana County.
Despite the area having over 200 gold mining sites, the sites were found to be operating without Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) licences, leaving deep holes and dirty waters along the river, making it unsuitable for domestic consumption.
''NEMA has today directed mining activities within the Kambi Karai and Lami Nyeusi region along River Turkwel in Sigor Constituency to stop further operations due to their negative environmental impacts,'' NEMA confirmed.
''The more than 200 gold mining sites are operating without Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) licences, leaving deep holes and dirty waters along the river, making it unsuitable for domestic consumption.''
During the closure period, the authority will carry out inspections to assess the level of environmental compliance at the affected mining sites.
Only sites that meet Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and audit conditions, including clear decommissioning plans, will be cleared for licensing and allowed to resume operations.
An EIA evaluates the potential positive and negative environmental, social, and economic impacts of a proposed project or development to ensure sustainable growth while minimising harm to the environment.
Meanwhile, four people lost their lives and several others were injured after a gold mine collapsed in Turkwel, West Pokot County.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, June 7, was confirmed by West Pokot County Commissioner Khalif Abdullahi.
Reports indicated that the miners had returned to the site at night using picks and hoes, unaware that the soil had become loose after excavators had dug the pit during the day.
Attributing the incident to the unlawful mining menace prevalent in West Pokot, Abdullahi took a swipe at local leaders for inciting locals against the police who were conducting an emergency rescue.
