Lolupe – May 20, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The County Department of Mining has indefinitely closed the artisanal mining site at Lomeguro in Lolupe Village following a directive from the county commissioner.

A team comprising officers from the National Police Service, county enforcement personnel, and administrators accompanied senior officials, including County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Natural Resources, Mining, Energy and Climate Change, Leah Audan Lokaala, to enforce the closure.

“We are here to ensure that all miners vacate the area peacefully and that all mining activities at this site are fully suspended,” said CECM Lokaala.

She warned that no further operations would be allowed until a comprehensive assessment of the site is conducted and formal authorization is granted.

“The department will urgently dispatch a bulldozer to seal the open pits and shafts that have previously led to loss of lives,” she added, terming it a permanent safety measure to prevent future accidents and safeguard residents from unstable mine openings.

The enforcement operation was jointly undertaken by county officials, national government representatives, and local administrators.