Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited has told the court that the Ministry of Mining’s suspension of its operations threatens more than 1,100 livelihoods, including over 500 direct employees and another 600 contractors.

The company says the shutdown could force it to declare about 500 direct staff redundant and expose it to “significant and potentially irreparable losses”.

Tata Chemicals argues the suspension was imposed without proper notice, objective timelines or clear compliance criteria, leaving the operation at the discretion of the ministry.

The dispute stems from the ministry’s decision to halt the mine over alleged regulatory breaches, including unpaid royalties and accumulated arrears, according to Secretary of Mines Thomas Mutwiwa.

Kajiado County has sought to join the judicial review, citing concerns over lease expiry, land rates of Sh11.4 billion, royalties and broader environmental and community impacts.

The company maintains that the county’s financial claims are separate from the legality of the suspension and should be dealt with in other proceedings.

Tata Chemicals also warns that the suspension jeopardises its planned Sh3.62 billion expansion, leaving the timeline for resumption uncertain if the court case is delayed.

A related appeal over the county’s land‑rate claim remains pending before the Court of Appeal, adding another legal layer to the dispute.