Posted on :Tuesday , 6th January 2026

In a recent high-level meeting in the United States, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi revealed Kenya's strategy to engage international mining firms to tap into the country’s vast rare earth mineral reserves.

Mudavadi met with Kevin Rudd, the Australian Ambassador to the U.S., to discuss potential collaborations. During the talks, Ambassador Rudd expressed Australia's strong interest in mining the Mrima Hills in Kwale County, citing Australia's century-long expertise and commitment to ethical mining standards.

The Kenyan government has set a high bar for any international company looking to secure mining rights. The Prime CS emphasized that prospective partners must demonstrate Technical Expertise proven experience in extracting rare earth elements.they should be Financial Stable to manage large-scale operations and be commitment to training local Kenyan teams and uplifting the surrounding communities.

Located near the coast, Mrima Hills is a 390-acre site recognized as one of the world's premier deposits of monazite and silicate gangue. These minerals are essential for the global green economy and the tech sector. They are used in making electrical appliances such as mobile phones, computer monitors, electric vehicle motors and wind turbines.

The project remains sensitive as Mrima Hills is considered a sacred site and is currently forested. While the local population has been relocated to isolate the area for potential activity, Mudavadi reiterated that the government would only partner with "environmentally conscious" firms to ensure the site's ecological and cultural significance is respected.