Socio – Economic Baseline Survey For Proposed Mining Of Niobium And Rare Earth Elements At Mrima Hill, Kwale County.

Abstract

The overall aim of this survey is to provide baseline information on the socio-economic conditions of the communities living in Dzombo Location, the environs of Mrima Hill. The survey seeks to enhance understanding of the livelihood strategies these communities employ in meeting their livelihood needs. It also seeks to improve understanding of the problems they face in their efforts to secure food, education, health and a sustainable living. It further seeks to understand the perceptions of these communities with respect to the economic/livelihood opportunities linked to the proposed mining of Niobium and Rare Earth Elements in Mrima Hill. Background information on Mrima Hill and its environs that was considered to be of socio-economic relevance was obtained from various government offices at Dzombo and Msambweni. Information on the current socio-economic characteristics and conditions was obtained through administration of two sets of questionnaires. One was filled by community leaders while a more detailed one was filled by household heads. The data collected from primary sources was processed with aid of the Statistical Packaged for Social Sciences (SPSS) software.

Keywords: Socio- Economic Baseline and Niobium plus Rare earth