Wanjala Mining Company has said that it has discovered traces of gold in the Kishushe area in Kenyas Taita Taveta County
According Wanjala Mining, traces of gold have been discovered in the Wanjala area where it has been mining iron ore, despite
geological surveys indicating that financial and technical constraints delaying exploration of mineral deposits in the area.
The discovery will add Kenya to Africa’s league of gold-mining nations.
“We are still doing proper prospecting in the area after discovering signs of gold in the iron ore. We hope that we shall succeed in our mining project,” said Kaburu Sangani, who has been jointly mining iron ore with Wanjala in the area.
Sangani added that Taita Taveta County had other industrial minerals such as copper and cobalt, as well as more than 40 high-value gemstones.
Environment minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere said the government was planning to undertake a KES 16 billion (US$189.9 million) three-year aerial survey of minerals across the country.
“Our country is very rich in mineral resources, but we have not conducted an aerial survey to establish the type and volume of mineral resources,” Mwakere said.
The minister revealed that Tanzania and Uganda had already carried out surveys to assess their mineral potential.
“Tanzania carried out its aerial survey in 1975 and 1979 while Uganda’s was in 2006 to 2009,” said Mwakwere.
He praised Wanjala Mining Company for conducting a private aerial survey of the 64,000 sq km land where the mining was taking place.
“We urge other mining investors in the country to commit themselves to the work for boosting our economy,” he noted.
