Effective exploration of minerals in the Great Lakes Region and curbing the illegal exploitation of natural resources has been touted as a key ingredient in driving economic change and improving the lives of regional citizens.
Mining Principal Secretary (PS) Harry Kimtai said that the Great Lakes Region is richly endowed with 3TG minerals (tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold) that if well managed can become the backbone of economic transformation.
In a speech read on his behalf by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Audit Committee chairperson Eng.
Philip Kirui Kiplangat, Kimtai highlighted that these critical resources have at times fueled conflict, illicit trade and instability and this is why Kenya fully supports the work of the ICGLR and in particular the Regional Certification Mechanism (RCM) under the regional initiative against illegal exploitation of natural resources. "Kenya is proud to host the 26th meeting of the ICGLR, a critical organ mandated to ensure transparency, accountability and responsible stewardship in the trade of regional vast mineral resources," said Kimtai.
