PRESS STATEMENT

The Kenya Chamber of Mines (KCM) is an industry employers' organisation created to improve the mining investment environment in Kenya. Its main objective is to lobby for effective service delivery from government on behalf of the mineral industry.

KCM wishes to reaffirm its position on an article published on pages 8 and 9 in the Sunday Nation dated 23rd August 2009 and enlighten the public. We therefore wish to state the following;

That Mr. Campbell Bridges is truly the discoverer of the Tsavorite and dedicated his life marketing it.

According to the laws of Kenya, all unextracted minerals under or upon any land are vested in the Government, subject to any rights in respect of any other law as stated in Section 4 of the Mining Act CAP 306. Any person who engages in prospecting or mining or both on any land in Kenya without a license from the Commissioner of Mines and Geology is guilty of an offence and is liable to prosecution as stipulated by Section 6(1) of the Mining Act CAP 306.

Mr. Campbell Bridges and family are the legal owners of the mineral right held over the disputed area of land. The family has an Exclusive Prospecting License (EPL) on and over the area in dispute and subject to Section 7(c) of the Mining Act, no one else is supposed to interfere with this right.

Illegal mining is suffocating the legitimate mining industry and instant action should be applied immediately to wipe out the illegal miners (zururas). Section 86 of the Mining Act gives the Commissioner of Mines ∧ Geology or any officer the powers to prosecute anyone who obstructs, interferes with any machinery, plant, works or property established on, in, under or over any land in exercise of a right conferred by or under this Act. This law was not enforced during the said period of three years where Mr. Bridges' EPL has been invaded. KCM therefore urges the Commissioner of Police in liaison with the Commissioner of Mines and Geology to improve the security situation in mining areas by creating a mining police unit before we lose all mining investments to our neighboring countries.

Further to this, after having worked with Campbell Bridges for more than eight years as a founder and first chairman of KCM, we can attest that he was a good leader, dedicated to developing the Kenyan mineral industry, a father figure to many, an icon in the world gem industry and an honest man with dignity and integrity matched only by his adventurous spirit.

The Kenya Chamber of Mines will ensure that Mr. Bridge's legacy lives on based on the foundation he had laid in this country!

Joyce Misoi
Public Relations Officer
Kenya Chamber of Mines

Email:joyce.misoi@kenyachambermines.co.ke