SOAPSTONE MINING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: A CASE STUDY OF TABAKA REGION, KISII COUNTY

In the mining industry, environmental sustainability is an issue that continues to receive attention globally from the industry leaders, policy makers, and academics. It is unfortunate that the only available information on environmental sustainability with regards to soapstone mining is quite scant. The availability of information can play a key role in addressing proximate environmental impacts brought about by the soapstone mining activities. Soapstone mining in the Tabaka region at Kisii County, Kenya, is known all over the world. In the provided study, the purpose is to explore the issue of environmental sustainability within the mentioned soapstone mining industry. The main objective of the study is to assess environmental sustainability in the Tabaka, Kisii County soapstone mining industry. Specific objectives in the study are on the environmental impact of the soapstone mining, environmental strategies that can be adapted and role of stakeholders in the soapstone mining industry. It will also utilise a descriptive research design that will target the miners at the region as well as key county employees working at the Kisii County Department of Energy, Water, Environment, and Natural Resources thus a sample of 366 individuals derived using the Yamane Formula. Data will be collected in the form of key informant interviews and focus groups for objective 2 and structured questionnaires for objective 1 as well as secondary sources for objective 3, and this will be between a period of 6 months. Moreover, the qualitative and quantitative data will be analysed in a synchronised and separate manner. The use of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software shall be employed in the analysis of the quantitative data while the qualitative data will be analysed using the thematic analysis method. Findings from the study will be used in filling in the already existing research knowledge gap. The findings can also be used in the implementation of policies that will ultimately lead to implementation of policies that serve the purpose of improving the environmental sustainability in the Kisii soapstone mining at Tabaka.