Flourspar mining set to be the real big earner

Fluorspar mining could be one of the big earners for Elgeyo-Marakwet county.

Experts say there is enough of the mineral to last for 40 years.

Currently, Keiyo county council receives Sh18.4 million a year in land rates from the Kenya Fluorspar Mining Company.

The company also pays local carriers millions of shillings a year to ferry the mineral from field to factory.

Kenya Fluorspar Mining Company, which has been operating in the region for years, is the only one in East and Central Africa exporting fluoride minerals to Europe and the Far East.

Mining manager Borries Bornman said the hydro-thermal deposits from which fluorspar is generated are found in a leased area of about 9,000 acres and could yield some 400,000 tonnes annually.

“There are several ore zones and bodies that have been mapped but not drilled, developed or evaluated. These and older bodies are being developed on a continual basis and ore reserves are likely to remain at present levels for the next 10 years,” he said.

Although the minerals were discovered in Kenya about 40 years ago, it was not until 1997 when serious mining began after the company which had been going through financial problems was privatised and acquired by businessman Charles Field-Marsham.

In 2005, production was valued at US$14 million (Sh1.19 billion) with most of it exported to India and Europe.

Mr Bornman said the worldwide economic downturn had a devastating impact on the firm leading to its closure until recently, when it resumed operations.

But even with the huge potential and benefits to the economy and the local community, the company has had its fair share of controversies.

It has been engaged in a protracted row with the local community over compensation for land following its privatisation.

Some residents claim they did not benefit from the compensation money channeled through the Provincial Administration.

They want the matter resolved through the law while the company continues to operate.

“The compensation issue can be resolved through the legal framework while the company is allowed to continue with its operation since it is our main economic life line,” said Mr Joshua Too of Soy.

The community has formed the Kimwarer-Sugutek Trust Group to push for compensation.

The company maintained it leased the land from the Government under the Mining Act and was not in any way involved in the compensation issue.

The resumption of mining by the company has brought a lot of relief to the local residents.

More than 500 truck owners who took fluoride ore from the mines to the plant and from there on to the railway line at Flax Centre but who lost their business when the company closed now have every reason to smile.