London-listed Imara Gold, previously Caracal Gold, has informed its shareholders 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 address outstanding disputes between Imara’s Kenyan subsidiary Kilimapesa Gold and the local Moyoi community, in Narok County.

The company said on October 21 that the committee would comprise representatives from the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, the Moyoi community, the county government of Narok and Kilimapesa.

The committee’s mandate would include resolving community complaints related to Kilimapesa’s operations, reviewing new commitments entered into between the company and the community, facilitating ongoing engagement between the two parties and making recommendations to Joho on any grievances or disputes arising under the mineral right.

Imara said it supported the establishment of the committee, which it believed would provide an effective and transparent platform to address legacy issues created under previous management and enable the resumption of large-scale gold mining and processing at the Kilimapesa gold mine.

The company has proposed that its representatives on the committee include its independent Kenyan directors Noreen Kidunduhu, Hannah Wang’Ombe and Edward Ruheni.

The company said it had been focused on resolving past issues raised by stakeholders since appointing a new executive management team and board of directors in the second quarter of this year.

These issues include the nonpayment of amounts due to the Moyoi community, local workers and key suppliers, as well as unmet commitments to sustainable and long-term community development projects.

Imara said mining and gold processing operations at Kilimapesa were suspended in the first quarter of 2024, with the last gold sales made in March of that year. It added that it was aware of illegal access and activities at the mine site and that these matters had been reported to the Ministry and other regulatory bodies.

According to the company, the Ministry had approved its request to establish adequate security at the mine to safeguard all assets, and the company was reviewing measures to further strengthen on-site security.

Imara said representatives of its new executive management team in Kenya would meet with key stakeholders this week as part of a broader strategy to expand its gold production and exploration portfolio both organically and through strategic acquisitions and partnerships across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Eritrea and Burundi.