Strategic Practices Influencing the Implementation of Small-scale Mining Projects in Kenya: a Case of Artisan Miners in Taita Taveta County

Abstract

Although artisan and small scale mining operations are small, they have a significant impact on the economy of developing economies. It is estimated that within sub-Saharan Africa, artisan and small scale mining produces gold and gemstones worth about $2.1 billion. In Kenya, 60% of all mineral export earnings ($49 million) in 1992 to 1997 were from artisan and small scale mining operations. Due to the importance of this sector, this research found it necessary to do a study on the strategies that have been effective in relation to the continual existence of this sector. The research therefore sought to examine the strategies for effective implementation of small-scale mining projects in Kenya. The study was guided by four objectives that included: to examine the extent to which cost leadership strategy influences the influences the implementation of small-scale mining projects in Kenya; to establish how community participation strategy influences the implementation of small-scale mining projects in Kenya; to examine the influence of modern technology adoption strategy on the implementation of small-scale mining projects in Kenya; and, to establish the effects of access to credit and finance as a strategy in the implementation of small-scale mining projects in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was 280 respondents from the registered mines in Taita Taveta and 13 employees in the county in charge of mining. A sample size of 164 respondents was obtained, calculated by Yamane formula of 1967, and a population census was done on all the employees of the county equating to 177 respondents. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires consisting of both closed and open-ended questions. The research used content validity as a measure of the degree to which the data collected using the questionnaire represented the objectives of the study. The data collected was keyed and analyzed by simple descriptive analysis using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 21.0 software. The data was then presented through frequency tables and narrative analysis. The response rate was 50.5% positive, meaning that 90 questionnaires were fully filled and returned for the study. The general trend of the results indicate that: 76.4% of the respondents agreed on the fact that cost leadership strategy influence the performance of small-scale miners in Kenya, 77.2% of the respondents agreed with the idea that community involvement/participation strategy influences the performance of small-scale miners in Kenya,74% of the respondents agreed with the idea that the modern technology adoption strategy has an influence on the performance of small-scale miners in Kenya, and 66% of the respondents agreed with the idea that access to credit and finance as a strategy has been effective in the performance of small-scale miners in Kenya. Alternative hypothesis was adopted after the values of the calculated chi-square were noted to be higher than the critical values. Finally, various future studies were suggested including a study being done to examine the influence of the mining bill of 2014 on the performance of artisan miners in the county; a case of artisan miners in Taita Taveta county.