Kenya Chamber of Mines has a change of board; the new board was elected into office on 5th April 2019 replacing the outgoing board that has been in-charge since March 2017. The Kenya Chamber of Mines (KCM), whose motto is “Supporting Mineral Industry Growth” is a Business Member Organization that represent the interests of players in the development of mineral sector of Kenya. These include: miners/mining companies, prospectors and explorers, mineral processors, manufacturers of mineral based products, mineral dealers and traders, mineral transporters, equipment and machinery dealers and suppliers, legal service providers in the mineral sector, financial service providers in the mineral sector, professional in mineral development related disciplines and global, regional and national partners supporting mineral development in Kenya. The chamber has a large membership distributed across the country.
In a colorful Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Laico Regency Hotel in Nairobi, the outgoing Chairman Dr. Cedric Simonet thanked the members for supporting the KCM agenda and challenged them to remain united in pushing mining related investments agenda forward. The new chairman, Mr. Charles Peter Kiarie Mwangi promised to unite the mining investment fraternity and champion their interests noting the great potential of the industry and issues that need to be polished to make it more attractive. Mrs. Imma Kimuyu Nyariki was elected the vice-chairperson, taking over from Mr. Patrick Kanyoro who was retiring.
The AGM which was well attended by members, who are investors in the entire mining value chain, presented a perfect opportunity for members to interact, ventilate on issues facing the industry and map a way forward. Preceding the AGM was a draft regulations workshop sponsored by Business Advocacy Fund (BAF) in partnership with KCM, where members and other interested parties discussed the Five Draft Mining Regulations. The audience got a chance to express their views and challenges associated with the regulations and suggested amendments that should be considered for the benefit of the industry.
Kenya Chamber of Mines plans to reach out and unite all investors in the mining industry as it continues to engage and partner with other stakeholders in the industry to improve the face of mining investments in Kenya. According to CEO, Mr. Moses Njeru; mining investors who are not members of the chamber are missing out on exclusive benefits accrued to KCM membership like representation and participation in advocacy efforts on issues impacting their business growth and access to KCM database for business projection and/or benchmarking.
Notably in the AGM was a strong team of delegates from coast region, most of whom are small scale miners in the gemstone industry and individual members of KCM. Kenya Chamber of Mines urges other small scale miners from different parts of the country, artisanal miners and mining groups, investors in quarrying operations, gemstone dealers, miners, exploration companies, equipment dealers and suppliers, professionals and any other player in the mineral development value chain to take this opportunity and subscribe for membership as it gives them recognition and credibility, visibility and a platform to network with other investors and address their issues.