Kenya has declared the recent discovery of the valuable mineral coltan within its borders. Coltan is an essential component in the production of smartphones, laptop computers, and other communication devices.
A huge amount of the precious material was discovered in at least six Kenyan counties. The current Kenyan administration has stated that it intends to strengthen its attention on the mining sector.
Kenya’s Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS), Salim Mvurya, announced that a significant reserve of coltan had been discovered in Kenyan soil. The cabinet secretary stated that the precious mineral has been discovered in at least six of the country’s provinces, as reported by The East African.
Because of its unique electrical properties, coltan, which is predominantly supplied from another East African country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is now employed in the construction of a wide range of products, particularly cell phones and laptops.
According to Salim Mvurya, the Kenyan government is now studying the mineral’s economic value.
“It’s now official. We have coltan deposits in the country, and we want to explore how we might attract investors,” the cabinet secretary stated.
He also stated that the current administration is committed to leveraging the country’s mineral wealth to boost its economic well-being. To that end, the government has already begun hiring trained personnel to assist with the mining of minerals distributed around the country.
Mr. Mvurya claims that 970 mineral occurrences have already been located. He also stated that laboratories will be scattered across multiple provinces to assist with the assessment of minerals discovered.
“We shall be setting up laboratory services in eight regions where we shall be testing samples and declaring the quality of minerals found in a particular region,” he went on to say.
Embu County is one of the regions identified as having the valuable metal. Mvurya stated that the government is currently determining the economic value of the mineral.
Joined by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, the CS committed to eradicate illicit miners who had encroached on the mining business.
Embu Governor stated her happiness with the fact that 20% of the mineral revenues would go to the county and 10% would benefit the local community.