The-Minister-Hon.-Mwakwere-PS-Ali-Mohamed-and-other-senior-Ministry-and-NEMA-officials-being-shown-some-of-the-products-from-Mrima-forest-in-Kwale.

Foreign companies wishing to invest in the mining sector would be required to have a percentage of local shareholding, Environment and Mineral Resources Minister Hon. Chirau Ali Mwakwere has said.

This, he noted was provided for in the new Mining bill being drafted to replace the colonial one of 1940s whose aim was to deprive the locals of the country of its wealth. Communities who live where minerals are found would be expected to be major beneficiaries of the proceeds of the natural resource, he added.

He said that the country would borrow best international management of natural resources as practiced in mineral rich countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe and India.

The Minister who was in company of Permanent secretary Mr. Ali D. Mohamed inspected Mrima hill in Kwale where Cortec mining company is prospecting for Rare Earth and Niobium said that, before any mining activities were initiated, the country laws must be adhered to.

The-Hon.-Minister-Chirau-Ali-Mwakwere-accompanied-by-PS-Ali-Mohamed-and-other-Ministry-and-NEMA-officials-touring-the-Mrima-hill-in-Kwale.

Company’s Project Manager Deon Alberts and geologist Rui Gonzales showed the results of prospecting using modern technology. Samples amounting to five tonnes, they said, were sent to Australia for analysis and indicated economic viability.

The Minister who said that the country was now able to analyze all minerals in the country said that investors would be required to set up value adding facilities in the country before exporting the minerals as a means of creating employment opportunities for local people.

PS Mohamed said that goodenvironmental managementwas the basis of livelihoods and calledon all players in developmentactivities toensure sustainable exploitation of resources.

Hon.-Mwakwere-explains-a-point-to-the-MD-Cortec-int.-as-the-PS-Ali-Mohamed-and-CMG-Mr.-Masibo-listen-keenly-while-touring-the-Mrima-forest-in-Kwale.