A British mining company on Wednesday announced the discovery of extensive underground gold deposits in western Kenya’s Kakamega County, estimated to be worth more than $5.28 billion (Sh683 billion), in what officials describe as a historic milestone for the country’s mineral sector. The firm has submitted an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) seeking permission to build an underground gold mine and processing facility in the Isulu-Bushiangala region. Local leaders and the Kenyan Ministry of Mining have hailed the discovery as a milestone for the national economy, with expectations that it will create jobs, improve infrastructure, and enhance Kenya’s standing in global gold production. However, officials have underscored the need for balanced development to prevent social displacement and environmental degradation.

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The company plans to invest $208 million (Sh26.86 billion) to develop the mine and processing plant, a move that could make the Lirhanda project Kenya’s first large-scale underground gold operation. A significant gold discovery has been announced in western Kenya, where the Isulu-Bushiangala Underground Mining Project has uncovered an estimated 1.27 million ounces of gold, making it one of the largest gold reserves ever identified in the country. Mining and mineral processing engineer Brian Mwangi Njoroge, founder of a startup supporting artisanal miners in Migori, Kenya, told Anadolu the newly confirmed gold deposits in Kakamega mark a turning point for the country’s mining industry. Shanta Gold, which already operates the New Luika Gold Mine in Tanzania, said it would move toward final project approvals and construction planning once all environmental and community consultations are completed. The company added that it is committed to local partnerships and sustainable mining practices. The announcement came from Shanta Gold Limited, a British-based mining company, which operates the Western Kenya Project.

• Shanta Gold will also contribute 1% of the total gold output value directly to host communities, in line with the Mining (Community Development Agreement) Regulations.Economists say the discovery could inject new life into Kenya’s economy by diversifying revenue sources beyond agriculture and tourism.
• The discovery comes amid sustained global demand for gold, with prices near record highs due to economic uncertainty.
• The announcement came from Shanta Gold Limited, a British-based mining company, which operates the Western Kenya Project.
• Kenya has raised alarms over the involvement of its nationals in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, with more than 200 citizens reportedly fighting for Russian forces.
• Shanta Gold, which already operates the New Luika Gold Mine in Tanzania, said it would move toward final project approvals and construction planning once all environmental and community consultations are completed.

Kenya discovers largest gold deposit in decades, worth an estimated US$5.29 billion

In related news, Mrima Hill emerged as the focal point in the international scramble for vital minerals. The discovery comes https://limefx.vip/ amid sustained global demand for gold, with prices near record highs due to economic uncertainty. The new reserves are expected to transform Kenya into a key player in East Africa’s gold industry, which has long been dominated by neighboring Tanzania and Sudan. The firm, Shanta Gold Kenya Limited, said the discovery was made within the Lirhanda Corridor, a 1,200-kilometer mineral belt running through Kakamega and Vihiga counties, following years of intensive exploration and drilling.

What is estimated gold production in Ikolomani?

Analysts say the timing could make Kenya’s gold sector an attractive alternative for investors seeking new production limefx website hubs outside traditional markets. To translate text, speech, and websites in more than 200 languages, go to Google Translate page. You can translate text, handwriting, photos, and speech in over 200 languages with the Google Translate app. Kenya has raised alarms over the involvement of its nationals in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, with more than 200 citizens reportedly fighting for Russian forces. Shanta estimates that 1,270,380 ounces of ‘very high-grade gold’ will be extracted from the Isulu and Bushiangala locations in Kakamega’s Ikolomani constituency.

• The project area, covering approximately 337 acres, will affect about 800 households, most of whom live on privately owned land.
• The company plans to invest $208 million (Sh26.86 billion) to develop the mine and processing plant, a move that could make the Lirhanda project Kenya’s first large-scale underground gold operation.
• Mining and mineral processing engineer Brian Mwangi Njoroge, founder of a startup supporting artisanal miners in Migori, Kenya, told Anadolu the newly confirmed gold deposits in Kakamega mark a turning point for the country’s mining industry.

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Under Kenya’s Mining Act, 3% of gross gold sales will be paid as royalties, of which 20% goes to Kakamega County and 10% to local communities through development projects. Shanta Gold will also contribute 1% of the total gold output value directly to host communities, in line with the Mining (Community Development Agreement) Regulations.Economists say the discovery could inject new life into Kenya’s economy by diversifying revenue sources beyond agriculture and tourism. It is also expected to create hundreds of jobs during the construction and production phases, stimulate local businesses, and attract foreign direct investment.However, The Star Kenya reports that concerns remain over land acquisition, displacement, and environmental risks, given the site’s proximity to the Kakamega Forest and key river catchments. The company has pledged to follow Kenya’s Land Act and international resettlement standards to mitigate these issues.If approved by NEMA, the Shanta Gold project could position Kakamega as Kenya’s new frontier in industrial-scale gold mining, unlocking a vital new stream of economic growth for western Kenya and the nation at large. “This may lead to the enhancement of local economic development through job and business opportunities and significant contributions to the government of Kenya through taxes, royalties and revenue contributions, which are likely to transfer into the local and regional economic growth,” the company added.

The project area, covering approximately 337 acres, will affect about 800 households, most of whom live on privately owned land. To minimize disruption, authorities and Shanta Gold have planned six new resettlement zones across a 1,932-acre area, where families will be offered either monetary compensation or relocation options within the same locality. The hill contains one of Africa’s largest reserves of rare earth minerals, which are used in contemporary electronics, renewable energy systems, and electric cars. The company said in October that it had applied for NEMA approval to start a $137 million (KSh 17.7 billion) mining project in Siaya’s Ramula, East Gem and Mwivona in Vihiga county.

According to the company’s feasibility study and Kenyan media reports, the deposit’s estimated value stands at 683 billion Kenyan shillings (equivalent to around 223.4 billion Turkish lira), signaling a major boost for Kenya’s growing mineral industry. “The project is aimed at obtaining the required authorization to mine the Isulu-Bushiangala gold resources for economic purposes,” the company said in a statement. TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

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The Isulu-Bushiangala project is a part of Shanta’s seven prospecting licenses, which include parts of western Kenyan counties and are referred to as the West Kenya Project.