Introduction
Kenya's Mineral Sector Overview
Mineral exploration and exploitation are currently carried under the auspices of the Mining Act, CAP.306 of the Laws of Kenya, and is administered by the Department of Mines and Geology, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
The Mineral Industry in Kenya
Companies and State Institutions involved in Mining
Mines & Geology Department, Ministry of Environment & Mineral Resources
Mining and Mineral Exploration and Prospecting News and Reports
Future of Mining Exploration in Kenya, August 18th, 2008
Environment and Natural Resources in Kenya
State of Environment Report 2004, Kenya
Oil & Gas
Kenya Expected to offer acreage this year, April 30, 2010
An oil licensing round is expected to launch in Kenya this year. Mohamed Maalim Mahamud, Kenya’s assistant energy minister, said that three or four blocks would be put on offer this year.
Vanoil completes EIA for Kenyan Blocks, March 25, 2010
Vanoil Energy Ltd. reported that its environmental impact assessment (EIA) for Blocks 3A and 3B in northeast Kenya has been completed by Nairobi firm Earthview Geoconsultants Ltd. The EIA included an environmental management and monitoring plan for its upcoming 2010 seismic program on the blocks.
Gas shows seen in Kenya’s Bhogal-1, March 24, 2010
Kenya has finally had some positive news from the CNOOC’s drilling of the Bhogal-1 well, gas shows have been encountered at a depth of around 4,600 meters. While not exactly time to pop the champagne cork, it is the first bit of positive news in CNOOC’s five month drilling of the well.
No shows yet for Kenyan Well, February 25, 2010
There hasn’t been any news out of Kenya as of yet regarding the drilling of the Boghal-1 well on Block 9. China’s CNOOC spud the well in October 2009 and while it has not reached its targeted depth as yet, no hydrocarbons have been encountered so far.
Anadarko/Kenya Deal Revealed, February 8, 2010
Anadarko is said to have expanded its presence along the East African seaboard adding to its assets in Mozambique and Tanzania, taking stakes in five Kenyan blocks. Kenya and Anadarko Petroleum Corp. signed an oil and gas exploration agreement for five offshore blocks in the east African nation’s Lamu Basin.
Centric Enters Kenya, February 1, 2010
Centric Energy Corp. has signed a Production Sharing Contact for access to Kenya’s Block 10BA. The PSC was officially signed in a ceremony in Nairobi, on January 27 2010.
Vitol to Buy Storage Terminal in Kenya, January 6, 2010
Vitol Holding B.V. reported that it has been awarded the right to buy a partially built storage terminal in Kipevu, Mombasa, Kenya. When fully operational the terminal will have 65,000 cubic meters of storage capacity for clean products, making it one of the largest and most modern facilities in East Africa, the Vitol statement said.
Daewoo Selected as Preferred Bidder for $1.3 Bil Kenya Power Plant, December 17, 2009
Daewoo International has been selected as the preferred bidder for a $1.3-billion coal-fired power plant project in Kenya.
CNOOC Well in Kenya Holds Bid Round Hopes in its Hands, November 6, 2009
The well being drilled on Kenya’s Block 9 by Chinese firm CNOOC has a whole lot of expectations riding on it. According to Mwendia Nyaga, Managing Director of NOCK, a decision as to whether a bid round for open Kenyan licenses will be based on the results of the Block 9 deep offshore well.
NOCK Sees Increase in Storage Capacity, October 29, 2009
Kenya’s state-run oil entity, the National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK) reported that its storage capacity has risen by 26,000 cubic meters. The increase in storage capacity is due to the completion of two tanks at its Nairobi depot.
Kenya/China Discuss New Route for Sudanese Crude, October 21, 2009
A new route for carrying Sudanese crude production is being discussed by the governments of Kenya and China. The two governments are discussing the possible construction of a corridor to export southern Sudan's oil production through a new port in Kenya. The plan would negate the need for Sudanese crude to be transported north to Port Sudan.
CNOOC to Drop Drillbit in Kenya This Month, October 15, 2009
CNOOC is set to begin drilling onshore Kenya according to Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi. The Chinese firm will be drilling on Block 9 in northern Kenya, according to Murungi quoted in local media.
Oil search gains momentum by Daniel Nyassy, September 18 2009
Australian company joins growing list of explorers erecting rigs at Kenyan coast.
AOC Readies for Kenya Spud, Updates East Africa, September 15, 2009
Africa Oil Corp. (AOC) provided an update on its operations in East Africa including Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. In Kenya the company will be ready to spud the Bogal-1-1 well on Block 9 by the end of October. AOC said that the rig, materials, and other equipment are currently being mobilized from China.
Essar Installs New Chief at Mombasa Refinery to Launch Upgrade, September 3, 2009
Essar Oil and Gas has appointed a new chief executive for the Kenya Petroleum Oil Refineries Limited (KPRL). Raj Varma from its Mumbai headquarters replaces John Mruttu who will step into the position of Chief Financial Officer.
GeoChem Middle East Wins Kenyan Inspection Bid, September 1, 2009
It was announced last week that Geo-Chem Middle East, an independent inspection and testing company, was awarded a contract from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). KEBS is the government agency responsible for establishing and governing metrology standards for the country’s petroleum imports.
Vangold Resources to Spin-off and Create Oil and Gas Firm, August 24, 2009
Vangold Resources plans to spin-off its oil and gas properties from its mining interests into a newly incorporated public company (Newco). Vangold’s Newco will hold certain oil and gas properties in Alberta, Kenya, and Rwanda and common shares of IBC Advanced Alloys Corp.
Raytec Signs LOI for More Kenya Acreage, August 26, 2009
Raytec Metals Corp. has signed another Letter of Intent (LOI) that, when it moves forward, will give it a solid presence in East Africa. The company entered into a binding LOI with Lion Petroleum Corp. that will have a subsidiary of Raytec acquiring all 23,865,000 common shares, issued and outstanding, in the capital of Lion, in consideration for the issuance of 28,399,350 common shares in the capital of Raytec to Lion.
Africa Oil Corp. Farms out Puntland and Kenya Stakes, August 21, 2009
Africa Oil Corp. is farming out stakes in its assets in Kenya and the Puntland. The company entered into a farm out agreement with Raytec Metals Corp. for Block 9, 10A, and 10B in Kenya and in the Puntland for the Nogal and Dharoor blocks.
Area that could be rich in oil, turns out to be valley of death by Muchemi Wachira. August 13 2009.
Residents of arid Chalbi desert demand answers after dozens of people die from cancer. If the area is not a dumping site for nuclear waste, what is making the underground water unsafe to drink?
Oil firms enter into exploration deals in Ethiopia, Kenya by PANA
Oil exploration activity in Eastern Africa hit a notch higher on Monday after two international exploration firms, signed joint venture agreements to explore black gold in the arid northern Kenya region and parts of Ethiopia.
Firm Revives Kenya's Hope for Striking Oil by Juma Mamlola, 13th March 2007.
Kenya's hopes of striking oil along the Indian Ocean were revived yesterday when another Australian company indicated that it could extract not only the energy resource, but also
gas.
Titanium Mining
Tiomin unveils $25m Kenya titanium project with China, July 29, 2008 Nairobi (Reuters)
Tiomin Resources Inc. said on Tuesday it had signed a deal with China's Jinchuan Group Ltd. to invest $25 million in a Kenyan titanium project.
Kenya: Titanium Mining in Doubt As Workers Are Sacked by Jim Onyango, Business Daily (Nairobi) 22 April 2008.
The future of titanium mining at the Coast looks gloomy following last week's sacking of about 20 employees by prospector Tiomin Kenya.
Tiomin contract is manipulative, argues Reform Group by Emmanuel Kola, 07 January, 2008
The Coalition for Constitutional Reform (CCR) Kenya wants Canadian Mining Company, Tiomin Resources Incorporation to discontinue plans for titanium mining in Kwale, Coast
Province.
Why Kulundu Ignored Pleas on Tiomin by John Mbaria. The East African, Nairobi, Kenya, June 30, 2003
Analysts say the apparent rush to license Tiomin could lead to the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars of investment.
Fate of Titanium Mining Awaits Kenya Polls by Jennifer Wanjiru. Nairobi, Kenya, December 19, 2002
This week the Moi government issued Tiomin Resources Inc. of Toronto a permit to mine the titanium sands. The company says there is US$132 million worth of raw material at stake. But the district's outgoing member of Parliament says the mineral deposits are worth US$11 billion.
Canadian firm gets nod to mine titanium by Nation Reporter
A Canadian mining firm has won an eight-year battle for a licence to excavate titanium. Tiomin Resources Inc. was given the authority by the government yesterday to start the Sh50 billion project in Kwale. Its licensing had been opposed by residents and organisations citing social, environmental and economic reasons.
Did Tiomin Kenya Ltd ever have the capacity to carry out an intensive mining of titanium in Kwale District? by John Njiraini and James Anyanzwa
Gold & Gemstone Mining
Environment Impact Assessment Study Report for the Proposed Kilimapesa Gold Mining in Lolgorian area of Transmara District
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an environmental impact assessment for the proposed Kilimapesa gold mining (mining of ore and processing
for gold extraction) in Lolgorian Area of Transmara District.
Blood gemstones of Tsavo: How famous British miner met his death by Daniel Wesangula, August 22 2009
Struggle for control of tsavorite mining operation may have led to murder.
Can Kenya follow in Tanzania's gold footsteps? by Lawrence Williams, London, 17 Aug 2009
Red Rock Resources, has entered into a deal with Canadian-based Kansai Mining on a Kenyan gold project and is intent on bringing the country back as a significant gold producer in its own right.
Mining takes a hit from credit crisis by Kennedy Senelwa, January 17 2009
Prices in the markets have declined leading to a slowdown in gemstone extraction.
UK firm puts a shine on Kenya’s gold export dream
Red Rock reports new style gold target identified at Migori project in Kenya
Red Rock Resources, says it expects to commence a new programme of exploration drilling early next month at the Migori greenstone belt in southern Kenya where it has also identified a new gold target type within zones of altered banded iron formation (BIF).The Migori greenstone belt lies close to the northern limit of the Tanzanian craton, a prolific gold producing region.
Marketing a major hurdle for miners, 26/11/2008
Apart from Ikolomani gold fields, there is small-scale gold mining in West-Pokot District and parts of southern Nyanza. However, the fields are not viable for commercial mining and the Government has no interest in them.
Coal Mining
Kenya Ministry Invites Coal Mining Bids, June 23, 2008
International companies have been asked to bid for a tender to extract coal in parts of Kitui and Mwingi districts.
Cement
Kenya's cement firm to expand facilities to meet demand by Business Daily, August 4, 2008
Fluorspar
