Omanghana
Kenya has launched a competitive international tender for the development of the Mrima Hill mineral site in Kwale County, a project estimated to be worth approximately $62.4 billion. The move positions the country at the center of growing global competition for critical minerals essential to modern industries.
Located in a 157-hectare forested area near the southern coast, Mrima Hill is believed to hold significant deposits of niobium and rare earth elements such as lanthanum, yttrium, thorium, and strontium. These materials are vital for applications ranging from high-strength steel and aerospace technologies to electronics and renewable energy systems.
The government is aiming to leverage the project to significantly boost the mining sector’s contribution to the national economy, targeting an increase from less than one percent of GDP to about ten percent by 2030. Interested investors have been invited to submit completed bid documents by April 17, 2026.
The tender has attracted strong international attention, particularly from the United States and China, as both nations seek to secure reliable access to critical mineral supply chains. The United States is advocating for a value-added approach that prioritizes local refining and processing within Kenya, while China, which dominates global rare earth refining, has historically focused on extracting and exporting raw materials.
Other international players have also expressed interest, including Australian firms such as RareX and Iluka Resources, highlighting the global significance of the site.
To qualify for the project, bidders must demonstrate strong technical and financial capacity, as well as clear plans for local beneficiation to ensure that more value is retained within Kenya. Environmental responsibility is also a key requirement, with strict adherence to national mining laws and safeguards to protect the ecologically sensitive Mrima Hill forest, which holds cultural importance for the local Digo community.
The project underscores Kenya’s ambition to become a major player in the global minerals market while balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability and community interests.
Source: Omanghana
