NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 6 – A group of wildlife conservation organizations and specialists in marine biodiversity has challenged the issuance of a mining license to Base Titanium Company to undertake mining activities in the Tana River Delta in Tana River and Lamu counties.
While presenting their memoranda to Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, the environmental defenders argued that the proposed mining activities in the Delta region will have adverse effects on the environment.
They noted that the region is a marine biodiversity-sensitive area that hosts endangered plant and sea species, including dugongs and sea turtles.
Additionally, the region hosts Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs), which are vitally important for stabilizing terrestrial carbon storage and home to a wide variety of species.
“We share deep collective concerns on the above matter. We hereby submit our strong objection to the above matter pertaining to the proposed mining,”the memorandum read in part.
The organizations led by the Conservation Alliance of Kenya said the proposed mining activities in the Delta region may result in water contamination and habitat destruction.
According to wildlife conservation organizations, titanium extraction in heavy mineral sands has the potential to seriously damage biodiversity and distinctive ecosystems both locally and regionally.
“The area is an Important Bird Area (IBA). They are the sites needed to ensure the survival of viable populations of most of the world’s bird species.”
“The delta is globally important for large numbers of water birds, including breeding colonies of cormorants and herons, as well as critical non-breeding grounds for migrant waders from Europe and Asia,” it added.
The environmental and land defenders asserted that the Base Resources’ subsidiary, Base Toliara in Madagascar, has been marred in controversy, sparking global outrage as to their impact on human and environmental rights.
Furthermore, they stated that Base Titanium, the Kenya subsidiary of Base Resources, is not a member of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) and should therefore be denied the license to undertake titanium extraction in the Delta region.
The organizations noted that enhancing the protection of natural habitats for wildlife species is key to sustainable tourism and the livelihood of communities around conservancies.
