In November 2025, British mining firm Shanta Gold Limited announced a major gold discovery at its Isulu-Bushiangala project in Kakamega County, Kenya.
Key details of the breakthrough include:
The site is estimated to contain 1.27 million to 1.3 million ounces of gold, with high grades averaging 11.43 grams per tonne.
At the time of the announcement, the reserves were valued at approximately US$5.29 billion (approx. KSh 683 billion).
The project includes a large-scale underground mine and a processing plant with a capacity of 1,500 tonnes per day.
Expected to generate hundreds of jobs and millions in annual royalties and taxes for the Kenyan government.
The Kenya Gold Refinery in Ikolomani is slated to be fully operational by May 2026 to process such local finds.
As of early 2026, the company is seeking final regulatory approvals from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to proceed with full-scale development.
This discovery is part of the larger Lirhanda Corridor, a mineral belt extending through Kakamega and Vihiga counties, positioning Kenya as a significant emerging player in the East African gold market.
Note by Alessandro Bazzoni