Revival of Fluorspar Processing Plant Marks Milestone for Kenya's Mining Sector

In a significant development for Kenya’s mining industry, the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs has officially handed over the site for the Fluorspar Processing Plant in Elgeyo Marakwet. This move signals a revival after a nine-year hiatus, promising substantial economic and social benefits for the region.

The handover ceremony, attended by key dignitaries including Cabinet Secretary H.E. Salim Mvurya and Elgeyo Marakwet Governor H.E. Wisley Rotich, marked the beginning of a new era for the once-dormant plant. The project, spearheaded by strategic investor Soy-Fujax, will see an injection of sh 4.8 billion to refurbish and modernize operations. The plant is scheduled to commence operations by January 2025, with an initial shipment of 30,000 tons of processed fluorspar slated for export by February 2025.

Local leaders and residents expressed optimism, citing the plant’s closure in 2016 as having detrimental effects on the community and local economy. The revival is expected to bring a host of benefits, including job creation, skills transfer, and improved socio-economic conditions for thousands in the region.

“This marks a new dawn for Elgeyo Marakwet,” Governor Rotich remarked, emphasizing the anticipated positive impact on local businesses and employment opportunities. The project aligns with Kenya’s broader strategy to enhance value addition within the mining sector and promote sustainable economic growth.

The event underscored Kenya’s commitment to leveraging its mineral resources for national development, with similar initiatives underway in other counties. Plans for a Gold Refinery in Kakamega County and potential takeovers of Granite and Soap Stone processing facilities in Vihiga and Kisii Counties respectively highlight Kenya’s ambition to emerge as a regional powerhouse in mineral processing.

As stakeholders gear up for the plant’s operational resurgence, collaboration between the national government, county administrations, and private investors remains pivotal. The Ministry reaffirmed its dedication to supporting such initiatives, ensuring that Kenyan communities reap maximum benefits from the country’s abundant mineral wealth.