In partnership with the State Department for Mining Kenya, the IGF delivered a 5-day training in Migori, Kenya, focused on strengthening government capacity in mine closure planning, environmental bonding, abandoned mine assessment, and site reclamation. Participants included representatives from the State Department for Mining, the Ministry of Environment, Migori County, and mining cooperatives.
The workshop also welcomed 10 government delegates from Somalia, who attended as a follow-up to the recently completed IGF Mining Policy Framework Assessment in the country. In addition to the mine closure discussions, the Somali delegates participated in a session on establishing baseline data and studies for artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).
The program combined 4 days of interactive, classroom-based learning with a 1-day field visit to a mining site in the Migori area. Participants engaged in expert presentations, group activities, discussions, and case studies from both local and international contexts. During the training, they also completed a risk assessment and cost estimate for mine closure.
Key learning areas included the following:
- Foundations of Mine Closure: Core principles, key components of closure plans, defining closure objectives, and identifying viable post-mining land uses.
- Technical and Financial Planning: Practical approaches to mine reclamation, estimating costs associated with closure, and understanding financial assurance mechanisms.
- Abandoned Mine Management: Common challenges and opportunities connected to abandoned mine sites and practical strategies for addressing them.
- Tools and Guidance: Application of the IGF Abandoned Mines Inventory and Risk Assessment Tool to evaluate and prioritize risks.
- Environmental Integration and ASM Considerations: Biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, best practices for reclamation, and specific factors to consider when closing ASM sites.
The training supported participants in strengthening their understanding of effective mine closure planning and improved their ability to assess, manage, and rehabilitate abandoned mine sites across Kenya.