Kenya’s growing reputation as conduit for export of illicit minerals sourced from countries in East and Central Africa, in particular, Democratic Republic of the Cong, South Sudan, Cantal African Republic and Tanzania.

On February 4, 2025, a multi-agency team seized three 20-foot containers weighing 75 metric tonnes that contained copper ores that were disguised as manganese ores aboard a vessel ready to be shipped to China.

The impoundment of the copper consignment adds to the enigma of high value minerals that pass through Kenyan ports – be it airports or seaports. Hitherto, the most known illicit trade involves gold from DR Congo and tanzanite from Tanzania.

The police did not reveal the origin of the copper. However, Kisangani province in southern Congo has been for a long time been synonymous with copper, the same as the Shinyanga region in Tanzania’s north.

The exporter had declared that the containers were loaded with manganese ores that are used for steel production, dry-cell batteries and paint.

The containers were opened by detectives from the Mining Police Unit led by Fatuma Ali in full glare of cameras at the Port Police.

“Some three containers were intercepted two weeks ago on suspicion of mineral smuggling. A multi-agency team was formed to investigate whether these containers had the declared minerals,” said Coast Regional Mining Officer Peter Karuwe.

“Preliminary investigations have shown that the minerals declared for export were not manganese and we can see that there is copper among other minerals,” he added.

Karuwe explained that the copper ore has been ground into powder and pellets. Further tests will be conducted through Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) to ascertain the percentage of copper in the containers.

The origin of the containers has not been established. The exporter is Steven Rock.

 “The exporter must have declared that they came from Kilifi County which is not the case,” stated Karuwe, adding that the multi-agency team has instituted a probe to determine the origin of the copper.

He further said that the exporter gave a false declaration since manganese is of low value compared to copper and didn’t have the requisite permits for exporting copper.

 “He uses the documents for exporting manganese to export copper, which is a high-value mineral. Copper being a strategic mineral, the only entity allowed to export copper is the National Mining Corporation,” said the regional mining officer.

The interception of the containers comes barely a month after the Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho launched an investigative arm in the Mining Police Unit (MPU) to combat illegal resource exploitation.

The investigative arm of MPU has bolstered surveillance in the mining sector and the country and mining communities will soon reap the economic benefits of the minerals.

• A Tell / KNA report / By Sadik Hassan