Joint mineral and mining laws for the EAC

Last Updated 14 years ago by Kenya Engineer

The East African Community is now seeking to harmonize their mineral and mining laws and policies after realizing the great potential that mineral resources have in contributing to poverty alleviation and to national and regional economic development.

The areas to be considered during the harmonization process are; access to and ownership of land, access to and ownership of minerals, mineral royalties to Government and Communities, procedures to follow for environmental Impact Assessments and monitoring of environmental plans, taxation regimes.

Some of what the partner states agreed include joint exploration, efficient exploitation and sustainable utilization of shared mineral resources; establishment of information exchange networks; joint fossil exploration and exploitation along the coast and rift valley as well as establishment of a regional seismological network.

This comes at a time when the rich-mineral eastern Africa is attracting foreign explorers. The region is considered to have a great potential of minerals ranging from oil, natural gas, titanium, gold among others. Analysts, however, warn that lack of a comprehensive policy on mining could deny regional economies a chance to enjoy the proceeds of the business.

Kenya is also in the process of reviewing its mining bill which has not been reviewed for a long time leaving loop holes in the management of mining in the country.Neighbors, Tanzania are also pushing for tighter tax policies for mining firms operating within its market. The Democratic Republic of Congo is also currently battling illegal exploitation and sale of its minerals following a long period of civil strife