Australian Firms Reveal Plans for Kenya’s KSh 8 Trillion Mrima Hill Mineral Deposits

Australian mining companies RareX and Iluka Resources have outlined plans to develop the mineral deposits, at Mrima Hill in Kwale County, in a project estimated to be worth KSh 8 trillion.

The firms have promised local processing, skills transfer and community engagement if they secure the rights to exploit the deposits. The consortium has submitted a detailed proposal to the Ministry of Mining following a competitive tender process for the mineral-rich site.

The proposal targets rare earth elements, niobium and other minerals found in the area. The companies intend to combine mining and initial processing in Kenya with advanced refining in Australia.

The approach is expected to allow Kenya to undertake part of the value addition locally before mineral concentrates are transported for further processing. RareX has indicated that the proposed project would prioritise local value addition, including the development of supply chains linked to phosphate and manganese by-products.

The firms also want Kenyan businesses to participate in activities associated with the project. Under the plan, Iluka would use its Eneabba rare earth refinery in Western Australia to process concentrates from Mrima Hill into separated rare earth products.

These materials could then be supplied to markets in the United States, Europe, Japan and South Korea. The proposed arrangement would connect Kenya’s mineral resources to international supply chains that rely on rare earth elements. These minerals are used in several industries, including electronics, renewable energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.

The consortium has also proposed training programmes and scholarships aimed at building local expertise in mining and mineral processing. The initiative would involve a partnership with Australia’s Curtin University to support skills development and transfer technical knowledge to Kenyan workers.

The companies say their plans would create opportunities for Kenyan businesses and workers beyond the extraction of minerals. Local participation in processing, training and supply chains is expected to form part of the proposed development.

However, the consortium’s proposal remains subject to the tender process and the government’s decision on the project. The companies will need to secure the relevant rights before proceeding with their plans for the Mrima Hill deposits.

The development has drawn attention to Kenya’s potential role in the global critical minerals sector, with questions remaining over how the project would balance investment, local economic benefits and responsible.

LINK: https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/128807-australian-firms-outline-plans-kenyas-mrima-hill-rare-earth-deposits?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=EM&fbclid=IwY2xjawVIO31leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzQwOTk2MjYyMzA4NTYwOQABHofp93p8dv57cttHQH4z4VgFOvUHO9Bv6f-NuxqKDMcv1voVfJTpJYuu2BR1_aem_mS8A2Ej8YsUdLPuaobRfwA

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