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London-listed Imara Gold, formerly Caracal Gold, has announced that Kenya’s Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho has proposed the establishment of a Kilimapesa Gold Mining Resumption Committee to resolve outstanding disputes between Imara’s Kenyan subsidiary Kilimapesa Gold and the Moyoi community in Narok County. The committee will include representatives from the Ministry, the Moyoi community, the Narok County government and Kilimapesa and will be mandated to address community complaints linked to Kilimapesa’s operations, review new commitments between the company and the community, facilitate continued engagement and make recommendations to the Cabinet Secretary on any grievances arising under the mineral right.
Imara said it supports the creation of the committee, noting that it offers a transparent platform to address legacy issues created under previous management and clear the path for full-scale gold mining and processing to resume at Kilimapesa. The company has proposed that its representation include independent Kenyan Directors Noreen Kidunduhu, Hannah Wang’Ombe and Edward Ruheni. Since the appointment of a new executive management team and board in the second quarter of this year, Imara has prioritised resolving concerns raised by stakeholders, ranging from nonpayment of amounts owed to the Moyoi community, workers and suppliers, to unmet commitments for long term community development projects.
Mining and processing activities at Kilimapesa were halted in the first quarter of 2024, with the final gold sales recorded in March of that year. The company said it is aware of illegal access and activities at the mine site and has reported the matter to the Ministry and other regulators. The Ministry has already approved Imara’s request to deploy adequate security to protect mine assets, and the company is reviewing additional measures to strengthen on-site protection. Imara added that members of its new executive management team in Kenya will meet with key stakeholders this week as part of a broader strategy to expand its gold production and exploration footprint both organically and through acquisitions and partnerships across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Eritrea and Burundi.
