How Kenya’s sacred Mrima Hill became new front in US-China minerals rivalry

Mrima Hill, a revered site located some 65km southwest of Mombasa on Kenya's Indian Ocean coast, is becoming an important battleground in the growing US-China rivalry over critical minerals. Both American and Chinese bidders are vying for the rights to develop the site, which is abundant in rare earths and niobium, a metal used to enhance steel's strength and lightness.

The US has pledged its support for Kenya's development of its homegrown critical minerals processing industry, aiming to challenge China's dominance in global rare earth refining. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Kenyan President William Ruto at the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss how Kenya's resources could position the country as a key player in the sector, while offering opportunities for American firms to provide value addition.

During a business summit in Nairobi, a senior US delegation highlighted the benefits of American participation, including investment in local communities, workforce development, and technology transfer. The goal is to increase processing within Kenya, generating local jobs and allowing the nation to capture more value from the minerals.

Chinese bids for Mrima Hill, valued at US$62.4 billion, are among six remaining candidates. The deal has not yet been finalized, with two of the remaining bidders being Chinese. US-based commodities advisor Chris Berry emphasized that while the US is not currently competitive in processing, it could change with continued investment and off-take agreements. Berry cautioned that untying supply chains from China would be a long and challenging process.