BARINGO, Kenya, Nov.27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese mining firm Chuanshan International Mining Company, will begin mining of diatomite in January 2020 in northwest Kenya's Baringo county, a government official said.
John Morangi Omenge, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining told journalists in Baringo that the Chinese firm has been conducting exploration activities in the region for more than two years to confirm the size of the mineral deposits.
The environmental-friendly diatomite which is a white sedimentary rock is a key ingredient in the manufacture of beverage, paints and medical products.
The government official said that the mining operation is expected to have a huge positive impact on Baringo county.
"The mining project will help to boost the local industrial sector by providing a key raw material for the manufacturing sector," he said, "By introducing mining we are looking to diversify the local community's source of income which is largely based on livestock."
Omenge said the diatomite is also part of the minerals for peace project that aims to use mining activities to reduce inter-community conflict fueled by fights over scarce resources such as water and pasture.
According to Han Ke, the general manager and a board member of Chuanshan International, it is estimated that the mining project will create 1,500 job opportunities.
Wu Zhiqiang, chief economist of the Shandong Land and Mining Co. Ltd that owns Chuanshan mining company, said his company plans to process the diatomite in Baringo county in order to spur industrial development in the region.
"A factory to produce finished products will also be constructed in order to provide economic opportunities and change the socio-economic landscape of the area," he added.
Stanley Kiptis, governor of Baringo county noted that his administration will offer all the necessary support to ensure that the mining operations are conducted successfully.
He noted that the Baringo county has suffered from low economic development and so the diatomite mining operations will help to transform the region into an industrial area with numerous job opportunities for the locals.
