KILIFI: The government, through the State Department of Mining, has launched an intensive crackdown on illegal mining activities in Kilifi County and other regions to address significant revenue losses from unregulated operations. The operation, led by Principal Secretary for Mining Elijah Mwangi, began with unannounced visits to various mining sites in Ganze and Kilifi South sub-counties, resulting in the closure of several unlawful mining activities. According to Kenya News Agency, the Principal Secretary, during his visit to the Kazungu mining site in Kilifi, emphasized the government's zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining operations, which have become widespread in the country, particularly in Kilifi County. Mwangi highlighted the illegal mining of manganese, iron ore, limestone, and, in some instances, copper and silver as key concerns for the government. During the crackdown, Mwangi, accompanied by the Kilifi County Commissioner and law enforcement officers, confiscated various equipment, including excavators and bulldozers, used in illegal operations. He committed to tracking down the owners of the equipment and holding them accountable. The Principal Secretary underscored the government's commitment to ensuring all mining activities adhere to legal requirements as part of efforts to boost the mining sector's contribution to national revenue, aiming for a 10% share. Mwangi stated, "We shall no longer allow illegal operators. Those people who are doing their business without following the laid-out procedures don't pay the government royalties, and we end up losing revenue as a government, the county, and even the community." Although he did not provide specific figures on the annual revenue losses, Mwangi revealed that the mining sector currently contributes only 1% to national revenue, significantly below the government's 10% target. The Principal Secretary reiterated the government's intention to continue the operation across the country. "We shall continue this operation, not only here in Kilifi bu t across the country. Anyone dealing, prospecting, or mining without the necessary license or permit should consider themselves closed," he declared. Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott assured the public that law enforcement would secure the closed mining sites and confiscated equipment until all legal requirements are satisfied. Biwott acknowledged the significant revenue losses experienced by the government due to unregulated mining activities in the county. "I want to assure you that no more mining activities will continue in this county without licensing. All the statutory requirements must be followed according to the law so that we don't lose huge revenue as we are experiencing now," he stated. The ongoing crackdown forms part of a broader government initiative to restore order to the mining sector, protecting both the environment and the country's economic interests. The government aims to intensify this operation in the coming months, expressing its determination to safeguard Kenya's mineral resources and ensure that mining is conducted legally to contribute to meaningful revenue.