Mining prospectors and mineral rights holders in Kenya are now under pressure to provide updated documentation as the Kenyan government begins to thaw a mineral licensing freeze that has lasted nearly four years.

The announcement, made by Principal Secretary for Mining, Elijah Mwangi, affects both existing mineral rights holders seeking license renewals and new applicants.

The move comes after a recent decision to partially lift the December 2019 moratorium, which had previously halted the issuance of prospecting licenses to facilitate a comprehensive nationwide mapping of mineral resources.

Miners and mineral prospectors are now facing a tight deadline, as they have been given a mere two-week window to update their records, as outlined by Mwangi.

"All applicants with pending applications for new and renewal of mineral rights in the Mining Cadastre System for all categories of Mineral Rights (Prospecting and Mining Licences AND Permits) are hereby notified to update their records within 14 days from the date of this notice," Mwangi said.

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These updated documents include the provision of bank statements or audited financial reports for the past three years, demonstrating their financial capacity to carry out mining or prospecting activities.

Additionally, applicants are required to disclose details regarding the shareholders of their companies, tax compliance certificates from the Kenya Revenue Authority, and an outlined program of work.

The easing of the ban, orchestrated by the Ruto administration, offers a glimmer of hope for investors, allowing them to resume prospecting on all construction and industrial minerals, including resources such as limestone, gypsum, and diatomite.

However, prospects for minerals like uranium and cobalt will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with approval guided by the Mining (Strategic Minerals) Regulations of 2017.

This development follows a recent cabinet meeting on October 3, where these measures were discussed.

Kenya has struggled to attract new investments in the mining sector over the past few years due to the longstanding moratorium, leading some firms to redirect their investments to neighboring countries.

This latest shift in policy signals a renewed opportunity for the mineral industry in Kenya and is anticipated to stimulate interest from both domestic and international investors.

The requirement for updated documentation seeks to enhance transparency and accountability within the sector, as Kenya takes steps towards revitalizing its mining industry after a prolonged hiatus.