Kenya launches bid for investors to develop $62 billion rare earth site eyed by US, China.
In a gazette notice dated March 24, Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho invited qualified firms to submit expressions of interest to commercialize deposits of niobium and rare earth elements – minerals essential for advanced electronics, clean energy systems, and military technologies..
Mrima Hill has long attracted international interest, with both the United States and China eyeing the asset as part of a broader geopolitical contest over supply chains.
American officials have made multiple visits to the site in recent years, pushing for a value-added approach that includes local refining, while China – responsible for about 90% of global rare earth processing, has historically favored an extract-and-export model.
The Kenya Times reports that the government has identified five key minerals – niobium, yttrium, thorium, strontium, and lanthanum, at the site following a geological mapping exercise conducted in 2022.
However, Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho noted that a full economic viability assessment of the deposits has not yet been completed.
“The Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs recently completed a nationwide airborne geophysical survey and now has the latest radiometric and magnetic data over the project area,” the notice read further.
“This data and the resulting grids serve as primary geophysical information for the winning bidder to conduct detailed exploration in the area.”
The renewed push highlights Kenya’s growing appeal as a mining destination, driven by fresh geological data, improved regulatory clarity, and rising global demand for critical minerals.
Africa tightens grip on mineral wealth
Kenya’s move reflects a broader shift across Africa, where governments are increasingly seeking to retain more value from their natural resources.
Countries are revising mining codes, enforcing local content rules, and pushing investors to establish in-country processing facilities rather than exporting raw materials.
From lithium in Zimbabwe to cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo, policymakers are leveraging the global energy transition to demand better terms and greater economic participation.
In Kenya’s case, requirements around beneficiation, sustainability, and community engagement signal a clear intent to avoid past extractive models.
The government said the tender will be conducted under the Mining Act and 2017 regulations, requiring investors to demonstrate technical expertise, financial strength, and a commitment to local processing and sustainability.
Source: africabusinessinsider