The Ministry of Mining has notified all mineral dealers that licences issued in 2023 expired.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, Mining Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi explained that all dealers will be required to submit their applications afresh for the year 2024 for approval.
This is in line with Section 164 (3) of the Mining Act 2016 which stipulates that a mineral dealer's permit expires on the 31st day of December of the year in which it is issued.
"You are hereby notified of the above legal provision and advised to submit your applications for the year 2024 under Mineral Dealers Processing Licence (MDPL), Mineral Dealers Trading Licence (MDTL) and Mineral Dealers Trading Permit (MDTP)," the notice read in part.
Section 164 of the Mining Act indicates the guidelines of a mineral dealer's permit which is issued by the Cabinet Secretary upon application and payment of the requisite fees.
Further, a mineral dealer shall not export minerals but have the right to buy and sell locally.
The same Act also stipulates a Ksh2 million fine or two-year imprisonment for mineral dealers who contravene the guidelines.
"A person who commits an offence under this Act or regulations made under this Act for which no penalty is expressly provided, is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine of not less than Ksh2 million or to both such imprisonment and fine," reads part of the Act.
All mineral dealers were directed to apply online via the link portal.miningcadastre.go.ke
A survey conducted in March last year by the Mining Ministry revealed that Kenya has over 970 minerals nationwide.
These included industrial minerals, base metals, rare earth and radioactive minerals, precious metals, gemstones, and building materials among others.
Mining CS Salim Mvurya projected the number to increase within the year after he announced the discovery of coltan deposits in Turkana, Embu, Samburu, Tana River, Kitui and West Pokot counties in January.
The mineral is one of the elements used in the manufacturing of phones and other gadgets.
According to the CS, the mineral would assist the government to manufacture cheap phones and export the material globally.
