New investor to take over Lake Magadi operations after Tata licence revocation
Speaking in Kajiado County today during a development tour, the Head of State said the new investor will be required to set up glass and chemical factories before being issued with a licence.
President William Ruto declared a new investor will assume control of Lake Magadi mining operations following Tata Chemicals Magadi's licence revocation in July. During a Kajiado County development tour, the Head of State stated the incoming entity must establish glass and chemical factories prior to receiving a licence. Ruto criticized Tata Chemicals Magadi for failing to invest in the local economy and infrastructure over its long tenure in the area.
He urged the new investor, "Either build a road or any other improvement for Kajiado." Ruto questioned whether the previous administration had found a solution for the community, emphasizing the need to empower locals and attract investment from India and other regions. Last month, Mining Secretary Hassan Ali Joho announced the suspension of Tata Chemicals Magadi's licence due to regulatory non-compliance, citing issues such as lack of a mineral beneficiation plan, unresolved royalty payments, and inadequate export reporting.
Despite claiming to have submitted compliance documents for licence reinstatement, Tata Chemicals Magadi threatened to lay off around 500 workers if the suspension persisted. Tata Chemicals Magadi, owned by India's Tata Group, produces soda ash and other industrial minerals from Lake Magadi's trona deposits, serving key industries like glass manufacturing, detergents, and water treatment.
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