Digging Deep Dialogue 20: Kenya Chamber of Mines

Digging Deep (DD) travels to the jewel of East Africa, Kenya to learn more about the Kenya Chamber of Mines and how they are promoting Kenya's mining economy. We were very fortunate to spend time with Jill Whitehouse Munyes (JM), the Project Officer – Membership and Partnership Support at the Chamber. Her enthusiasm for Kenya's mining industry is infectious and we leave no stone unturned as we deliberate on her role, reasons why Kenya is a preferred mining destination in Africa, empowering artisanal and small scale miners in Kenya, and what we can expect from the Kenya Chamber of Mines in the future. Let's dig deeper and learn more from Jill.

DD: Welcome to the Digging Deep Dialogue Jill. It's a pleasure to have you with us. Can you tell us more about the Kenya Chamber of Mines and its history?

JM: Prior to the establishment of the chamber in the year 2000, individuals involved in mining endeavors encountered significant challenges in obtaining licenses and conducting business operations, attributable to deficient regulatory frameworks, sectoral cartels, and organizational deficiencies. In response to these obstacles, several eminent figures within the industry, including Bridges Campbell , Johnson Muthama, Peter R. Simpson, and Eugenio Francescon, among others, collaborated with fellow stakeholders to inaugurate the Kenya Chamber of Mines. This association was conceived with the primary aim of advocating for and representing the interests of miners in Kenya. Central to its mission was the advancement, promotion, and safeguarding of mining activities and related interests of its members.

DD: In your current role as Project Officer – Membership and Partnership Support at the Chamber, what are your key areas of responsibilities??

JM: My responsibilities span various critical domains. These include strategic planning to align our actions with the Chamber's mission and objectives; program development to design and oversee initiatives fostering the growth and sustainability of the mining sector; stakeholder engagement to cultivate relationships with government, industry, and community partners; advocacy and lobbying efforts aimed at shaping favorable regulatory environments; provision of member services such as information access and regulatory guidance; monitoring and evaluation of program impact for continuous improvement; financial management to ensure efficient resource allocation; and communication and outreach strategies to raise awareness about the Chamber's activities and the importance of the mining industry in Kenya.

DD: Give us 5 reasons why Kenya is a desired mining investment destination in Africa.?

JM: Strategic Positioning - Kenya is strategically positioned to handle mineral business dealings with all eastern African countries, including South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and DRC. Nairobi, as one of Africa's business hubs, serves as a central point for mineral dealings across the region.

Rich Mineral Resources - Kenya boasts vast mineral resources, with numerous unexplored deposits. The mining sector is still developing, presenting significant opportunities for discovery and investment in untapped areas.

Skilled Workforce - The country has a well-educated workforce, with over seven universities offering courses in mining and extractives. This ensures a steady supply of competent professionals to support the mining industry.

Political Stability - Kenya's political stability provides a secure and predictable business environment, which is crucial for long-term investment planning and operations in the mining sector.

Advocacy and Policy Support - The strong presence of the Kenya Chamber of Mines plays a vital role in advocating and lobbying for progressive and regular policy amendments. This ensures that Kenya remains a competitive and attractive mining investment destination by continually improving its regulatory framework.

DD: Empowering artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) seems high on the Chambers agenda. Can you tell us more about the past, present and future engagements with Kenya's ASM communities??

JM: Past Engagements

KCM has a long-standing commitment to supporting ASM communities across various counties. Historically, KCM has been a vocal advocate for artisanal and small-scale miners, particularly when ASM activities were still considered illegal. Through active media representation, KCM highlighted the struggles of ASM communities with formalization, advocating for their recognition and the need for regulatory reforms to integrate them into the legal mining framework.

Present Initiatives

Policy and Regulation Development - Collaborating with government bodies to amend present policies and regulations so they specifically address the needs of ASM miners.

Encouraging Self-Regulation - Promoting the formation of cooperatives and encouraging ASM miners to get licensed by the artisanal mining committees in their counties. This fosters a more organized and compliant ASM sector.

Future Goals

Strengthening ASM Access to Resources - Improving access to financial services, market insights, technical support, and geological information to empower ASM miners and enhance their productivity and sustainability.

Promoting Inclusivity of women and youth - Focusing on gender and generational inclusivity in mining activities and decision-making processes to ensure that all groups benefit from the sector's growth.

Enhancing Social and Environmental Safeguards - Implementing measures to improve social and environmental safeguards within ASM communities, ensuring that mining practices are sustainable and socially responsible.

DD: Let's get futuristic, what can we expect from the Kenya Chamber of Mines in the future??

JM: Enhanced Advocacy for Policy and Regulatory Streamlining

KCM will intensify its advocacy efforts to streamline mining policies, regulations, and the fiscal structure. By working closely with the government and other stakeholders, KCM aims to create a more investor-friendly environment, making Kenya an even more attractive destination for mining investments. This includes simplifying the licensing process, ensuring fair taxation, and enhancing transparency in the sector.

Bigger and Better Events for Networking and B2B Connections

KCM plans to host larger and more impactful events that facilitate business-to-business (B2B) connections and networking opportunities. These events such as the Kenya Mining Week will bring together industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders to foster collaborations, share insights, and explore new business opportunities. Expect grander conferences, expos, and trade fairs that highlight Kenya’s mining potential on the global stage.

Strengthening Support for Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (ASM)

Building on its current efforts, KCM will enhance its support for ASM communities by improving access to financial services, technical training, market insights, and geological information. The goal is to increase the business capacity of ASM operations, enabling them to scale up from artisanal to small-scale mining enterprises. Future initiatives will also prioritize gender and generational inclusivity in mining activities and decision-making processes.

Global Partnerships and Collaborations

KCM aims to forge stronger partnerships and collaborations with regional chambers,? international mining organizations, investors, and educational institutions. These partnerships will facilitate knowledge transfer, attract foreign investments, promote mineral trade across borders, and position Kenya as a leader in the global mining industry.

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