The State Department's mandate is derived from the Executive Order No. 1 of January, 2023 on the Organization of the Government of the Republic of Kenya. The mandate covers:

1.    Development of policies on the extractive industry
2.    Undertaking mineral exploration and mining policy management
3.    Maintaining an inventory and mapping of mineral resources
4.    Development of mining and minerals development policies and standards
5.    Maintenance of Geological Data (research, collection, collation, analysis)
6.    Policies on the management of quarrying of rocks and industrial minerals
7.    Mining capacity development and value addition
8.    Management of health conditions and health and safety in mines
9.    The State Department has oversight responsibilities over the National Mining Corporation (NMC), the Mineral Rights Board (MRB), the Kenya National Mining Institute and the Geologist Registration Board (GRB).

State Department has interpreted its mandate to include performance of the following functions.

●    Develop and manage geological survey, geo-information management, mineral promotion and marketing policies
●    Undertake geological, geochemical, geophysical, seismological and structural mapping to define the character and distribution of rocks and superficial deposits
●    Undertake mineral exploration and deposit valuation
●    Conduct geo-hazards mapping, geotechnical investigations and geo-environmental studies
●    Establish, operate and maintain a National Seismological Network (NSN) for monitoring seismic activity in Kenya and the region
●    Develop a national geosciences repository and database
●    Ensure maintenance of laboratories, drill core library, rock museum, library and records facilities
●    Promote and market Kenya as a mineral and mining investment destination
●    Coordinate international and regional laws, agreements and memoranda of understanding in the extractives sector
●    Generate mineral resource data to spur investment in line with African Vision 2063, the African Mining Vision and Kenya Vision 2030
●    Superintend over the National Mining Corporation and the Geologists Registration Board
●    Facilitate relationships with ministries, state departments, agencies, civil society and mining communities
●    Educate communities on mining operations taking place in their locality
●    Assist communities in negotiating compensation and resettlement, and monitor Corporate Social Responsibility
●    Assist communities in developing Community Development Agreements (CDAs)
●    Arbitrate disputes arising from mining operations