The planned reform also seeks to ensure equity, stability, poverty reduction and economic growth, he told visiting members of the International Coloured Gemstones Association (ICA) at a meeting here on Monday.
 
The ICA members from 12 European, American and Asian countries are on a three-day tour of Kenya's Taita Taveta district, on the country's border with Tanzania, which is rich in Gemstones and other minerals.
 
The visitors are also scheduled to attend a Gemstone exhibition in Nairobi designed to showcase Kenya's gemstone industry with the hope of attracting potential investors.
 
Biwott said Kenya lacked a single and clearly defined mining policy, and this coupled with the existing laws enacted in 1940, hindered effective and sustainable exploitation of the country's mineral resources.
 
He said the proposed laws and policy would also address the interests and activities of small scale miners as part of a national development plan. Under the proposed law, license for mineral prospecting would cover a longer period to enable investors operate more profitably.
 
Johnson Muthama, National Chair of the Kenya Chamber of Mines, explained that the country was endowed with gemstones and industrial minerals coupled with investment opportunities.
 
He said the visit by ICA members was expected to boost international trade and urged the visitors to take advantage of the enabling environment created by the government and invest in Kenya. 15 May 2007 - PANA
 
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