Quarry / Sand Harvesting Permit fees and charges

Complete Guide to Costs and Regulations for Sand Harvesting in Kenya

Extracting sand and quarry materials from the earth is a critical component of Kenya’s construction industry, but it comes with strict regulatory requirements. Understanding the Quarry and Sand Harvesting Permit fees and charges is essential for anyone involved in sand extraction, transportation, or quarrying operations. Failure to obtain the proper permits can result in severe penalties, including fines up to Ksh 350,000 or imprisonment for up to 18 months. This guide breaks down all the costs, fees, and requirements for legally harvesting and transporting sand in Kenya.

 

Legal Requirements for Sand Harvesting

Before you pay any fees, it’s crucial to understand what permits you need. Under Kenya’s new regulations announced by CS Duale through NEMA in 2025:

For Sand Harvesting:

  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) License from NEMA is mandatory

  • No person can harvest sand from rivers, lakes, oceans, farms, or land without a valid EIA license

  • EIA license permits sand harvesting only from areas near or around temporary rivers (not permanent rivers)

For Sand Transportation:

  • Sand Transportation Permit from NEMA is required

  • It is illegal to transport sand without a NEMA permit

  • Permit is valid for up to 3 months from date of issue

Quarry / Sand Harvesting Permit Fees and Charges

Below is the comprehensive breakdown of all fees and charges associated with sand harvesting and quarrying operations in Kenya:

Permit / Fee Type Amount (KES) Validity Issuing Authority Notes
Sand Transportation Permit 3,000 3 months NEMA Per vehicle/motorist
EIA License (Env Impact Assessment) Varies Per project NEMA Required for harvesting source
Artisanal Mining Permit 2,000 1 year Ministry of Mining For small-scale mining
Artisanal Mining Permit (Annual Rent) 10,000 Per license year Ministry of Mining Annual rent fee
Artisanal Mining Permit (Transfer Fee) 50,000 Per transfer Ministry of Mining When transferring permit
Mining Permit 7,000 1 year Ministry of Mining For commercial mining
Mining Permit (Annual Rent) 50,000 Per license year Ministry of Mining Annual rent fee
Mining Permit (Transfer Fee) 100,000 Per transfer Ministry of Mining When transferring permit
Mining License 100,000 1 year Ministry of Mining Full mining license
Mining License (Annual Rent) 500,000+ Per license year Ministry of Mining Ksh 2,500 per Ha minimum
Mining License (Transfer Fee) 1,000,000 Per transfer Ministry of Mining When transferring license
Mineral Development Levy 1% of gross sale Per transaction Ministry of Mining All minerals except salt
Mineral Development Levy (Salt) 0.5% of gross sale Per transaction Ministry of Mining For salt only
Document Perusal Fee 2,000 Per hour Ministry of Mining For reviewing documents
Document Duplication Fee 2,000 Per document Ministry of Mining Copy of license/permit
County Sand Harvesting Fees Varies Per year County Government Machakos, Migori, etc.

Sand Transportation Permit Application Process

Required Documents:

Document Purpose
EIA License copy Proof of sand source
Motor vehicle logbook Vehicle identification
National ID card Applicant identification
Personal details Applicant information
Transportation mode details How sand will be transported

Application Steps:

  1. Submit application to NEMA with all required documents

  2. Pay Ksh 3,000 processing fee

  3. NEMA reviews application within 5 working days

  4. Permit issued valid for up to 3 months

Where to Apply

NEMA (National Environment Management Authority):

Contact Details
Address Popo Road off Mombasa Road, Nairobi
Postal P.O. Box 67839-00200, Nairobi
Email info@nema.go.ke
Phone 020-2101370 / 020-2183718
Mobile 0724-253398 / 0723-3010 / 0735-013046
Website www.nema.go.ke

Ministry of Mining:

  • Visit the nearest County Mining Office

  • Access online portal at mining.go.ke

County-Level Sand Harvesting Regulations

Some counties have additional regulations:

  • Machakos County: Has Sand Harvesting Amendment Bill 2021 with specific charges

  • Migori County: Has Sand Harvesting Act 2020 for registration and licensing

  • Other counties: May have barrier fees for traders transporting sand

Important Penalties and Compliance

Consequences of Non-Compliance:

  • Fine: Up to Ksh 350,000

  • Imprisonment: Up to 18 months

  • Both fine and imprisonment possible

Key Compliance Points:

✓ Obtain EIA license before harvesting
✓ Get transportation permit for each vehicle
✓ Pay Ksh 3,000 per vehicle for transport permit
✓ Renew permits every 3 months for transportation
✓ Pay mineral development levy (1% of sales)
✓ Stop at county barriers and pay prescribed fees

Cost Summary for Different Operations

Operation Type Estimated Total Cost (KES)
Small-scale (Artisanal) Ksh 2,000 + 10,000 annual = 12,000
Medium-scale (Mining Permit) Ksh 7,000 + 50,000 annual = 57,000
Large-scale (Mining License) Ksh 100,000 + 500,000+ annual = 600,000+
Transportation (Per Vehicle) Ksh 3,000 per 3 months

Obtaining a Quarry/Sand Harvesting Permit in Kenya requires both an EIA License from NEMA for harvesting and a Sand Transportation Permit (Ksh 3,000) for moving sand. For mining operations, costs range from Ksh 12,000 for artisanal mining to Ksh 600,000+ for large-scale mining licenses. Additionally, you must pay a 1% mineral development levy on gross sales. Always verify current fees with your county government, as some counties like Machakos and Migori have additional local regulations. Compliance is essential—non-compliance can result in penalties up to Ksh 350,000 or 18 months imprisonment.

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