Our History
The old Rock Corry and Equatorial Mines were mined during the 1940’s and early 1950’s prior to Kenyan independence. These mines and many others in Kenya closed during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, many of which remain derelict to this day.
In 2009, Karebe Gold Mining Limited (KGML) established a Carbon in Leach tailings retreatment operation and retreated the tailings dumps from the old colonial era mines and thereafter funded the redevelopment of the old Equatorial Mine that was last worked over 50 years ago. Karebe left this site in 2020.
In the absence of any notable mining skills in Kenya, the company has developed a strong workforce in house capable of operating all aspects of a small to mid-size gold mining operation.
Today the company employs over 350 staff, over 90% of whom are from the local area. KGML has a significant community program and has contributed to a wide variety of local projects which include clinics, local schools, a police station, bus and motorbike shelters, local infrastructure including roads, power and water facilities, and funding local charities and scholarships, amongst other causes.
2008
Karebe Gold Mining Limited (KGML) is founded and SLP264 is pegged.
2009
Maris and Managing Director David May finance the start-up of KGML to in Western Kenya. KGML breaks ground and establishes a Carbon in Leach (CIL) tailings processing facility.
2010
First pour from the CIL is achieved. KGML re-opens Equatorial Mine to 2 level. Housing and other key infrastructure continues to be developed on site. KGML finances the installation of local power facilities for the community and mine.
2012
KGML commences underground operations and production at Equatorial Mine. Exploration along strike indicates potential to re-open the Boma section to the East.
2013
200 employees are trained and housed at the mine, and a training partnership with Government of Kenya Ministry of Mines is established. Community water and a health clinic are developed.
2014
KGML opens Boma Mine incline shaft. The company starts a program to support mining students from Jomo Kenyatta University.
2015
Charles’ vertical shaft is opened and developed to 2 level at the Boma section. KGML starts funding 100 local scholarships for underprivileged children from the local area.
2016
KGML re-opens Rock Corry Mine. KGML funds and opens a new library at the local secondary schools.
2017
KGML reaches nearly 300 permanent and temporary employees. KGML passes Ksh 1 billion in taxes paid to the Kenyan government.
2018
KGML continued underground development and processing and operations in the production plant. CSR extends to roads, clinics, scholarships and books for schools.
2019
KGML continued underground development and processing and operations in the production plant. A community committee is elected and the Community Development Agreement is signed.
2020
Underground operations continued. However, Equatorial mine was closed and safely sealed. KGML plant and office site was and moved to another site where the rebuilding of the plant took six months.
2021
KGML secured a 25-year mining license from the Ministry of Mining. Karebe’s sponsored soccer team progresses to the County League, and our dedication to community development continues.
2022
Completion of the new processing plant. County Pension Fund (CPF) bought into KGML as a new local partner. Work continued to sink Charles Shaft at Boma mine to level 4. KGML donated over 27 million shillings to CSR projects over the course of the year, guided by our Community Committee.
2023
New office block and company clinic completed, focus on underground development to connect Rock Cory and Boma mine on level 4 – holed through in October 2023. At September 2023 KGML’s spending on CSR projects has exceeded 27 million shillings in the year.