CS Joho Orders Immediate Shutdown of Tata Chemicals Magadi Mining Operations

A collage of CS Joho and Tata Chemicals Magadi PHOTO/Citizen

The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Joho, orders the immediate suspension of all mining operations by Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited.

In a press statement dated Wednesday, July 29 2026, the Mining CS stated that the company’s operations are suspended until it fully complies with the Mining Act and Regulations.

“The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hon. Hassan Ali Joho, has ordered the immediate suspension of all mining operations by Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited,” reads part of the statement.

According to the notice the decision comes after years of sustained engagement between the State Department for Mining and Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited.

Statutory Obligations

This regarded its statutory obligations under the Mining Act Cap 306, the Mining (Licence and Permit) Regulations 2017, the Mining (Royalty Collection and Management) Regulations 2024 and other legal frameworks.

After these engagements some compliance issues still remain unresolved including lack of a clear mineral beneficiation strategy, outstanding royalty reconciliation and payment obligations.

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Other issues are insufficient export reporting, poor implementation of Community Development Agreements (CDA), inadequate employment and skills transfer plan for Kenyan citizens, weak procurement of local goods and services, and environmental compliance shortfalls.

Tata Chemicals Magadi has therefore been directed to submit comprehensive documentation and evidence that supports full compliance with statutory obligations.

Matters To Address

They are also supposed to address any outstanding liabilities before they can finally resume their operations.

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“The company has, therefore, been directed to submit comprehensive documentation and evidence demonstrating full compliance with all the statutory obligations and to address any outstanding liabilities before it can resume operations,” the statement read.

Additionally Joho reaffirms that the Ministry remains firm in its commitment to ensure that Kenya’s mineral resources are exploited responsibly, sustainably and in a manner that delivers maximum economic value to the country and protect the interest of the host communities.

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