By Joshua Imalingat
A section of prospective artisanal and small-scale miners in Abim district has initiated a process to formalize their readmission to the newly discovered Okemer gold mining site.

This is part of a string of other demands brought forth by the Abim district security committee for them to be able to access the mining site again following its temporary closure last week due to a string of concerns.
Others demands are putting in place sanitary facilities, water sources, proper leadership structures and ensuring that all the vulnerable groups including children, lactating and pregnant mothers, the elderly and the lame are not allowed in to the site.
SP Peter Akampurira the Abim district police commander while speaking to our reporters in his office on Thursday said knowing the particulars of each person who will be at the mining site will be key in ensuring accountability and security for all the miners.
Now the residents under their hastily formed association-KAKOKA gold miners association have already kick started the process.
Headed by the Alerek sub county LC3 chairperson Mr Owona, the association will be instrumental in enforcing all the demands by the security team and ensuring that all prospective miners are biometrically registered.
Charles Alir a member of the interim board representing the business community told our reporters that the association is up and running adding that the interim board has also been installed.
According to Alir, the association will streamline all prospective miners in accordance with the law and ensure that they are biometrically registered for easy supervision and formalization.
Godfrey Okech the Alerek sub county LCV councilor, who doubles as the district vice chairperson says the registration is also intended to sieve out those who have already registered in other mining site.
According to the mining and minerals act 2022 A person who- (a) conducts prospecting, mining or exploration operations without a valid mineral right, licence or permit; (b) carries out refining, smelting, processing, trading, storage or any other activity without a valid mineral right, licence or permit; or (c) within the meaning of the provisions of the Penal Code Act, aids or assists illegal prospectors or operators, commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand currency points(100million shillings) or imprisonment not exceeding seven years or both