
National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has issued cessation notices against artisanal mining sites in Tiriki East Sub-County, Vihiga County, following failure to comply with the stipulated regulations.
NEMA team in the company of officers from the county directorate of environment and natural resources did an assessment that established that Siekuti, Bundolovo and Kaimosi sites were dangerous for the miners to continue extracting the gold ores.
NEMA officer Brenda Obura said the affected mines are characterised by cracks and could be dangerous for the people to go down and do the excavation.
In the face of the ongoing heavy rainfall being experienced in the region, she said the mines can easily cave in and bury those underneath, the officer explained.
The officer said they do not want the recurrence of a disaster like what happened last year, in Chambiti area in Central Maragoli Ward, where the site collapsed and suffocated three artisanal miners.
- A Tell Media / KNA report / By Sammy Mwibanda