MPs pass Mining Bill

Workers at a mine in Taita Taveta County. FILE PHOTO | GIDEON MAUNDU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The Bill creates a Mineral Rights Board to advise the government and give directions on matters relating to mining and minerals.
• Establishment of the board was meant to address concerns that too much power had been vested in the Mining Cabinet Secretary.

By NATION REPORTER
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The National Assembly has passed a Bill that sets a new framework for managing minerals.

The Bill creates a Mineral Rights Board to advise the government and give directions on matters relating to mining and minerals.

The proposal to create the board came from the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, which proposed changes to the Bill.

The Mineral Rights Board will advise on granting, rejection, retention, renewal, suspension, revocation and variation or transfer of rights agreements.

Its other functions include giving advice on cessation, suspension or restriction of production in respect of mining licences.

Establishment of the board was meant to address concerns that too much power had been vested in the Mining Cabinet Secretary.

The Bill will be forwarded to the President for assent before it becomes law, upon which the existing legislation relating to mining would be repealed.

ROYALTIES RATIO

The Bill proposes to consolidate several laws relating to minerals to ease the sector’s administration.

Members approved a proposal providing that royalties paid be shared among the National Government, the county government and the community where the mining occurred in the ratio of 70:20:10.

The CS will have the powers to negotiate agreements.

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