Ministry Projects
Geological mapping comprises the systematic geological mapping of the country based on Quarter Degree Topographic map sheets. The Base Reference Datum being the Arc 1960, Kenya’s official Datum. This mapping results in the publication of serialized Geological reports and accompanying maps at different scales ranging from 1:25,000 to 1: 500,000 with the most common scale being the 1:125,000 scale. Mineral exploration involves the evaluation of various economic metallic, non-metallic, industrial and base minerals like iron ore and titanium. The work resulted in the discovery of vanadium, a metal that is used in the development of green energy components in addition to its other uses
The Geological Survey Laboratory was established primarily to support geological and mineral research by the Directorate with a subsidiary function of supporting the exploration and mining industries as well as academic research. For a long time, samples by exploration companies were exported to other countries for analysis in accredited laboratories. This meant that the Government could only rely on unverified reports without having capability to interrogate such results. It was, therefore, decided that a modern laboratory be constructed and be equipped with modern state-of the-art analytical equipment fit for an internationally accredited laboratory.
A new building to house the new laboratory was constructed and it is currently being customized to fit the standards of accredited laboratory. A number of new equipment were procured and are currently awaiting the completion of bench work and internal lab fittings so that they can be installed.
The Geodata Bank is a computerized Geological Resources Information Bank of the Geological Survey. It is expected to play an increasingly important role in the documentation of the mineral resources of Kenya.
The data are processed by the computer program (GeoNetworks), which performs all the processing tasks needed to build, operate, and maintain the Geodata file. The sophisticated retrieval program allows the user to make highly selective searches of the file-for words, parts of words, phrases, numeric data, word ranges, numeric ranges, and others, and to interrelate variables by logic statements to any degree of refinement desired.
Geodata is one activity of a newly organized office within the Geological Survey whose staff includes specialists in map digitization, mineral economics, geostatistics, map-plotting applications, and other computer-assisted, resource-oriented studies.
This Division undertakes research into environmental impacts of geological and mineral materials, geohazard mapping and early warning. The Division also undertakes geotechnical investigations for civil works and infrastructural developments.
The Directorate will continue participating effectively in the National Joint Multi-Agency Project (Airborne geophysical survey) and undertaking of ground follow up for mineralized targets where high quality National Airborne Geophysical Survey datasets have become available
The project aims to promote mineral exploration opportunities in open exploration blocks. Geological and Geophysical data will be packaged and used for marketing of the country’s minerals potential to prospective investors at Local and International conferences and related industry fora.
Kenya is among the leading producers of high value gemstones including ruby, tsavorite, sapphire, spinel and others. However, the benefits from the sales are not significant because raw stones are exported whose value is low. The objective of the project is to add value to raw gemstones mined in Taita – Kwale gemstone belt and other parts of the country through cutting and faceting to high value cut stones and beads whose value is much higher.
The construction of the centre is complete and installation of equipment is ongoing
Vihiga county is endowed with abundant granite resource but whose exploitation is low. The country therefore imports granite products to meet the demand. The objective of the project is to exploit this abundant resource by making granite products and consequently substitute imports of granite slabs.
The project is at feasibility study stage
Gold is mined in the western flank of the country by artisanal miners and sold in low grade form which fetches low returns. The objective of the project is to process the gold to high grade which has higher returns and thus improved benefits.
The project is at feasibility study stage
The Mining Act, 2016 has prescribed that a digital mining cadaster shall be the only platform for managing the mineral rights. The experience with the system has revealed the need for improvements of system user experience, security, archiving, query functions for a more user friendly, accountable and interactive system.
The project is at procurement stage
The Mining Act, 206, has prescribed a broad management of mineral royalties including the sharing, penalties for arrears and others. Due to sheer volume of mineral sales and diverse sources, royalty management can only be effectively done through a digital system for such functions as mineral royalty payments, tracking of defaulted payments, linking of royalty payments and source communities for royalty sharing assessment.
The project is at award stage
There is need to add value to raw soapstone resource occurring in Kisii count by diversifying soapstone products from not only carvings to industrial use.
The project is at feasibility study stage