Search for new commissioner of mines begins

The government has started the search for a new commissioner of mines that will end a 17-month leadership vacuum at the office.

This comes amid heightened international interest in the exploration of mineral deposits including gold, titanium and niobium, raising the importance of the office in the management of Kenya’s wealth.

On Monday, the State advertised for the position that has been held by Moses Masibo in an acting capacity.

Mr Masibo issued Kenya’s first commercial mining licence for gold to UK-listed firm, Goldplat, late last year.

Dr Bernard Rop was the last substantive commissioner of mines, but was sacked in August 2010 on allegations of corruption and fraudulent award of a prospecting licence to Criss Cross Mining— a Kenyan firm.

The commissioner of mines has since the Goldenberg scandal years remained a sensitive office whose profile has lately been elevated with the heightened search for precious metals and rare minerals, mostly by multinational firms.

The office holder is expected to offer the government technical advice on mining activity and the available mineral resources, and regulate trade of precious minerals by issuing both prospecting and exploitation licenses.

Mr Masibo is expected to be among the candidates to fill the powerful position since he previously had expressed intent, though he could not be reached immediately to confirm his earlier position.

Ali Mohammed, the permanent secretary in the mineral resources ministry said in a past interview that the State was planning to carry out an audit to determine the worth of the Kenya’s minerals owing to the increased demand in the international markets.

“The government is planning to carry out an audit of the country’s mineral wealth; we do not know the value but it is certainly significant,” said Mr Mohammed when the ministry issued the gold mining licence to Goldplat.

International firms such as Australia’s Base Resources and Canada’s Pacific Wildcat have recently discovered deposits of high-value minerals in the region including titanium and niobium.