By Nuru Salim.
Principal Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Harry Kimtai, has commended Base Titanium for its consistent adherence to the Mining Act, 2016, and its ongoing commitment to land rehabilitation and restoration in Kwale County.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the mining site, PS Kimtai disclosed that the company has so far achieved 55 percent of the required land restoration, with significant progress noted in several areas.
However, he emphasized that full rehabilitation will take longer than initially projected, particularly in sections such as the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), which pose unique environmental challenges.
“We want to engage the community through public participation to bring attention to the fact that Base Titanium is expected to remain here for a while due to the rehabilitation process, which is estimated to take longer especially in the TSF areas that require more time because of material complexity and contamination risks,” said Kimtai.
He noted that while complete restoration may take between 10 to 15 years, portions of the land that are already rehabilitated such as the southern dune can be immediately repurposed for conservation, agriculture, or other sustainable activities.
“It might take 10–15 years, but during this time, we will consider using the available parts that are ready for activities such as farming, as the company continues its rehabilitation in other areas,” he added.
The PS lauded the firm’s compliance with legal and environmental standards, stating that it should serve as a benchmark for other players in the sector.
“As the Ministry of Mining, we are impressed with how Base Titanium is following procedures in accordance with the Mining Act. This should be a model for all mining companies, as it is critical to ensure proper land restoration after mining activities,” he said.
Kimtai further revealed that Base Titanium has allocated a portion of land for afforestation projects under the Ministry’s stewardship, reinforcing its long-term commitment to environmental sustainability.
On the economic front, the government has received over Ksh. 10 billion in royalties from Base Titanium, currently held by the National Treasury.
Of this, Ksh. 1.7 billion is owed to the Kwale County Government, while Ksh. 800 million is for the local community
“We expect the National Treasury to comply with the law after the complete closure. The Mining Department supports Base Titanium in seeking tax refunds from the Kenya Revenue Authority,” said Kimtai, adding that the Post-Mining Land Use Committee will ensure all legal and financial matters are settled before the company exits.
In preparation for post-closure transition, key infrastructure has already been handed over to national agencies.
These include a 132 KVA power station transferred to Kenya Power for electricity distribution, and the Mkurumudzi Dam, which is now under the Coast Water Works Agency to supply treated water to the community.
Kimtai also announced that some of the mining equipment will be redistributed for local use, with certain assets earmarked for re-export and others used in institutions to train youth in mining and related technical fields.
Looking ahead, the PS disclosed that Base Titanium has expressed interest in exploring rare earth elements at Mrima Hill, signaling the company’s continued strategic interest in Kenya’s mineral sector.
