Miners decry delays in getting license due to unresponsive portal

Migori County Artisanal miners SACCO chairperson Kephas Ojuka who was speaking during a meeting with Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko said they have all their documents ready but cannot apply for the mining licenses.

Ojuka said the mining Cadaster portal where they are supposed to make their application is not active because of a number of issues that can only be handled by the government.

The miners said they are not able to benefit from the minerals as they lack the mining license.

Governor Ayacko admitted that there have been challenges in accessing licenses saying that his office will work closely with the national government so that the miners can get licenses.

Ayacko asked the miners to be in cooperatives so that they could easily get the license issued by the national government with the approvals of the county government.

The miners appealed to the government to ensure there is a proper engagement before any foreign miner is allowed to work at any of the mining sites in the county.

Migori County artisanal miners committee chairperson Elly Duro said they want to ensure that the artisanal miners benefit from the miners more than the foreign miners.