TURKANA, Kenya- Residents of Turkana North Sub-County may have a reason to smile after Chinese investors expressed interest in key minerals in the region.
For decades, Turkana County has experienced challenges with food security, water scarcity, and poverty.
The county’s nomadic lifestyle and traditional beliefs also make it difficult to access healthcare.
However, this could be something of the past after a Chinese company, H-NUO, sought to source raw gold from Naduat home to the Naduat gold mines, which are known for their gold and quarry stones.
The Chinese firm seeks to use the raw golf in its new refinery in Kakamega County.
Already, the company is investing Sh 5.8 billion in the refinery and has requested permission from the Turkana County Government to begin the investment process.
Where will the raw gold from Naduat will be taken
H-NUO’s director, Zhang Kaichun, explained the company’s interest in Naduat at a meeting with the county’s Department of Energy and Mineral Resources.
“Our focus is on Naduat. We believe it has the potential to supply the right quality and quantity of raw material needed for refining at our upcoming Kakamega facility,” Kaichun said.
If given the green light, the Chinese firm will ferry the gold-rich soil from Naduat to the Kakamega refinery for processing, which is expected to create jobs in the logistics and transport sectors.
The project has the potential to benefit the local economy, improve livelihoods for artisanal miners, and create jobs along the transport value chain.
The Turkana County Government has previously raised concerns about the use of dangerous chemicals and explosives at the mines. The government had asked miners to prioritise safety in their operations.
To address environmental-related issues, the devolved unit has been restoring degraded mining sites in the area. These sites include Naduat, Moruongor, Kalomwai, and Nariomoru.
Why mining companies should adhere to legal mining regulations
Moreover, Turkana County’s Chief Officer for Energy and Mineral Resources, Triza Amoni, welcomed the investment and highlighted the county’s commitment to attracting more investors to its mining sector.
Amoni emphasised the positive impact such investments could have on small-scale miners across the county, including economic growth and job creation.
She also urged H-NUO to ensure compliance with legal mining regulations and consider mass sensitisation programs to inform the local community about the project and its potential benefits, including corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Y News understands that gold stocks may hold a valuable place in an investor’s portfolio, especially in times of high inflation and economic uncertainty.
Gold provides a natural hedge against inflation and is seen as a safe-haven investment during downturns in the economy.
Many investors believe gold still has a place in long-term portfolios, although the metal has gone through long slumps.
Why a Chinese firm wants to mine fluoride in Turkana
Gold can also be a buffer against a bear market or in the case of an international crisis. The Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars are examples.
Meanwhile, another Chinese firm has also expressed interest in mining fluoride deposits in Kaeris Ward, still in Turkana North Sub-County, with a promise to empower the local community through key livelihood programs.
Chinese firm H-NUO plans to source gold from Naduat, for its Ksh 5.8B Kakamega refinery, pending approval. At a meeting with Turkana officials, H-NUO highlighted Naduat’s potential. Chief Officer Triza Amoni welcomed the investment for its job creation and economic benefits.
This was revealed during an all-inclusive community engagement where the company outlined plans to commence mining operations upon securing approval from both the county government and the local community.
Speaking on behalf of the firm, Mr. Yao stated that preliminary assessments indicated sufficient quantities of fluoride that could be exploited for the economic benefit of area residents.
Fluoride (said like floor-eyed) is a mineral that occurs naturally in soil, water, and rocks and has been shown to prevent cavities or tooth decay.
For the past several decades, fluoride has been added to community water supplies and oral care products such as toothpaste and mouth rinse.
How Turkana County plans to empower its residents
Y News has established that Amoni, representing the regional government, emphasised that the introduction of the company was part of the county’s commitment to ensuring community involvement in safe mineral exploration.
“It is our duty as the County Government to ensure that the community is fully involved in the process of welcoming prospectors of minerals in Turkana,” she said.
Amoni further disclosed that the county government is in the process of establishing a gemstone and ore processing centre to provide additional benefits to artisanal miners.
During the engagement, a representative from the County Attorney’s office sensitised the community on the County Minerals Extraction Policy of 2024 and the legislative framework governing mineral exploitation.
Acting Director for Mining Elim Areman cautioned against illegal involvement in mining, warning of legal consequences.
Both companies now await formal clearance before proceeding with the planned mining projects.
