Lodwar – 30th May, 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

Turkana County, through the Department of Energy, Mining, and Petroleum, has distributed two modern air pick demolisher machines to Kareng’a and Nagiramia artisanal miners to aid in the extraction of gold at Nakale and Lokichar Wards.

Speaking during the handover of the machines at the Department’s headquarters, Chief Officer for Energy, Petroleum, and Mineral Resources, Triza Amoni, said that the move was meant to enhance safety and spur productivity in line with Governor Lomorukai’s nine-point agenda for Turkana.

“Our assessment revealed that artisanal miners in Turkana relied on physical digging using crude tools, which was slow, physically exhausting, and even life-threatening. This equipment will enable them to work faster, more safely, and more productively,” said Chief Amoni.

The chief officer pointed out that the equipment would place the miners at an advantage in generating more revenue from the trade due to the conveniences afforded by the machines.

Addressing the use of the equipment, Chief Amoni said she expected the miners to form groups for utilizing the machines without causing unfair disadvantages among each other.

While receiving the machines, the Chair of the Nagiramia Lolupe Artisanal Miners Association, Geoffrey Lokuta, affirmed that the machines were long overdue.

“It is true that we have been using labor-intensive methods of digging. As such, most of us have succumbed to exhaustion, respiratory diseases, and even death,” he said.

The Chair acknowledged and appreciated the county government and said the machines were a sign of commitment to the welfare of the growing number of artisanal miners in Turkana.

Present during the handover were department and mining officers.