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Modern mineral testing lab to be built in Kenya after pact with Indonesia

Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya during a press conference with a delegation from Indonesia led by Adriani Kusumawardani in Nairobi on March 5, 2024. (Photo: Mining Ministry)

By Barack Oduor | Wednesday, March 6, 2024

This follows an MoU signed in August last year during the state visit by Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Nairobi.

The Kenyan Government is set to build an ultra-modern mineral testing laboratory following an agreement with Indonesia on capacity building in the country's mineral sector.

The modern laboratory is part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year between the two countries to boost the mining sector.

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Indonesian top mining official Adriani Kusumawardani is leading a delegation which is in the country for a three-day visit beginning Tuesday for a meeting meant to come up with a framework for the construction of the lab.

The plan to build the ultra-modern mineral testing laboratory and have Indonesia help Kenya in building the capacity of its mining sector was sealed in an MoU signed in August last year during the state visit by Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Nairobi.

Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said the MoU related to mining, collaboration on geology, laboratory upgrading, testing and sampling and capacity building.

"As a Ministry, we have prioritised testing and sampling as a key area that is going to grow the mining sector in our country," he said.

Tech Acquisition

He noted that the laboratories in the country are not up to standard and the collaboration will lead to the acquisition of technology, required experience and capacity building.

Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya with Indonesia's top mining official Adriani Kusumawardani in Nairobi on March 5, 2024. (Photo: Mining Ministry)

Mvurya said this will lead to an upgrade of mining laboratories to international standards.

"We have advertised to upgrade Madini house here in Nairobi and establish eight more laboratories in the region. The MoU will help us in realising our dreams by having an ISO-certified laboratory here in Kenya," Mvurya said.

He spoke during the opening of the three-day meeting in Nairobi on Tuesday when he hosted government officials and mineral investors from Indonesia.

Secretary Directorate Mineral and Coal Indonesia government official Rita Susilawati said her government is committed to collaborating with the Government of Kenya.

"Indonesia is committed to doing some work with Kenya to accelerate the mining sector growth and we believe we can help each other for future generations," Susiwati said.

The meeting discussed the commencement of the implementation of the MoU and the setting up of an international standard testing and certification laboratory in Kenya.

"In geology, we are looking at the entire area of mapping and ground rooting and how we can share experiences and technologies so that we can benefit from experiences in Indonesia," said Mvurya.

He announced that Kenya will work with Indonesia in developing relevant policies, regulations and laws that will boost the mining sector and subsequently the economy.