Mining minister Najib Balala said in July the government was close to sealing a deal with China’s Exim Bank for the funding of a $67 million (Sh7.1 billion) airborne survey to map Kenya’s mineral wealth.
The Mining ministry has started the process of acquiring an airborne survey system to map mineral wealth and spur growth in the sector.
The ministry has floated a tender for an airborne Lidar system which uses ultraviolet or infrared light to image objects including non-metallic substances, chemical compounds and mineral rocks, among others.
“The procuring entity desires that the airborne Lidar system be delivered to Wilson Airport, Nairobi” the ministry said in a tender call that closes on October 6.
“The Lidar required by the ministry must integrate with elements of existing photogrammetric digital survey camera. The sensor must also be compatible with and conform to electrical and mechanical provisions of existing fleet of aircraft,” it further said.
Mining minister Najib Balala said in July the government was close to sealing a deal with China’s Exim Bank for the funding of a $67 million (Sh7.1 billion) airborne survey to map Kenya’s mineral wealth.
He said the 30-month survey will be carried out by Chinese firms with Kenya appointing an independent panel to oversee the quality of the results from the primary data.
The government is banking on the aerial survey and new laws to help revamp the mining industry which has largely remained neglected by successive governments since independence from Britain in 1963, with foreign companies being put off by poor infrastructure and an outdated legal framework.
A recent improvement in global prices of various commodities found in Kenya and investor appetite for new frontier markets has revived interest in country’s mining potential, pushing the government to pay attention to the sector.
Kenya exports titanium, gold, fluorspar and manganese and has reserves of coal, niobium and rare earths, but mining currently accounts for less than 1 per cent of its gross domestic product.
Government revenue from mining rose to Sh1.35 billion in the year ended June 30, compared with Sh21 million in 2012, statistics by the Mining ministry showed.
The Senate in July passed the Mining Bill 2015, raising hope for improvements in the sector.
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