Kenya: Community Poor Yet Blessed With a Variety of Minerals

Tag : diatomite additive

Most locals are poor, livestock being their only source oflivelihood.
Mrs Kitien Madareng crushes stones near river Kainuk.
And now, they are waking up to the reality that their lives can bebetter if they make use of the minerals.
"We have formed groups that mine gold in Tapoyo, Wakor,Kapchepochot, Segem, Chekauru and Sostin," says Mr NguriarengMukitome, 63.
Mukitome says poverty has driven locals to start mining gold andfluorspar.
But lack of equipment and market for the minerals has affectedtheir efforts.
"For the years I have mined, I have hit small portions ofgold. But soon things will change for the better," saysMukitome.
The villagers risk while mining as most work without protectiveclothes.
Some of the mines in Wakor are more than 60 feet deep, with tunnelsthat pose a risk to the prospectors.
At least three miners in Wakor area have died as a result.
But this has not stopped many from working further. They are out tomake money and the risk does not appear to occupy their minds.
Miners also have to contend with boulders.
The situation has been worsened by poor infrastructure, leading torampant cattle rustling and proliferation of arms.
A variety of mineral deposits have been confirmed through series ofreconnaissance geological surveys and investigations by variousorganisations.
Despite having minerals such as limestone, Talc, gypsum, chromeore, fluorspar, marble, diatomite, kaolin, graphite, asbestos,kyanite and sillimante at their disposal, locals still languish inpoverty.
Geologists at the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) haveundertaken studies geared towards development of viable mineralresource deposits.
"The objective of the study is to facilitate promotion ofrural industrialisation, development of mining skills and creationof employment," says KVDA geologist, Mr Wilson Kipkuto.
Kipkuto says the metamorphic rocks are associated with industrialminerals and base metals.
Among the minerals identified in viable quantities are marble(limestone) for cement in Ortum-Sebit area of West Pokot, marblefor decoration in Koitilial area, Marakwet, talc for paper andpaints, found in Soka, West Pokot, kaolin, used as a cementadditive and for ceramics, in Kamatira, West Pokot and gypsum, alsoa cement additive found in Loperot, Turkana.
There is also chrome ore, used in factories. It is largely found inTelot, West Pokot.
Kipkuton explains that the marble deposit in Marakwet is of pinkvariety and is suitable for ornamental stone and decorative facingof buildings.
"The marble occurs in a variety of colours, ranging from purewhite to a very intense pink to pink-red, with a wide range ofintermediate shades, all of which have an attractive appearance onpolishing," he says.
He explains that the other type of marble is found in Ortum andSebit in West Pokot and is suitable for the manufacture of cement.