Australian Firms Secure License to Explore Kenya’s $62 Billion Mrima Hill Rare Earth Deposit
NAIROBI, Kenya – The rich rare earth and niobium deposits at Mrima Hill in Kwale County, Kenya, valued at an estimated $62 billion, have attracted significant international interest. In April 2025, Australian companies RareX Limited and Iluka Resources secured an exploration license for the site, paving the way for drilling activities and community consultations.
The move is part of a broader Western strategy to challenge China’s dominance, which currently controls approximately 80% of global rare earth production. This Australian initiative is seen as a strategic partnership with U.S. interests, a point underscored by the planned visit of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to Nairobi in November. The visit has fueled speculation about potential high-level deals concerning critical mineral resources in Africa.
However, the project faces significant local opposition. The Mrima Hill forest, a sacred 390-acre site for the indigenous Digo community, is at the heart of the dispute. Local residents depend on the forest for cultural rituals, traditional medicine, and their livelihoods. Many voice fears of displacement and environmental degradation, drawing parallels to negative impacts from previous mining operations in the region.
In response to these concerns, Kenyan stakeholders, including community leaders and advocates, are pushing for guarantees of community equity shares in any future venture, alongside commitments to local infrastructure development and sustainable mining practices.
The situation was highlighted on social media platform X by user “I am Chege,” who noted, “Meanwhile, Jacob Juma has this to say,” suggesting ongoing public commentary and debate around the exploration deal.
As the exploration phase begins, the project at Mrima Hill stands at a critical juncture, balancing immense economic potential against the vital needs and rights of the local community.
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