Australian mining firms RareX Limited and Iluka Resources Limited have entered the final selection phase to secure rights for the Mrima Hill mineral deposit in Kwale County.
Kenya’s Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs selected the consortium to proceed to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage for the niobium and rare earth elements project.
The partnership combines field operations in coastal Kenya with processing infrastructure in Western Australia. Under the proposed agreement, RareX Limited will lead community engagement, environmental assessments, and preliminary site engineering. Mining and initial mineral separation would take place locally in Kwale County.
Downstream refining for the extracted rare earth elements is designated for Iluka Resources Limited's Eneabba refinery in Australia.
That processing facility is supported by an Australian Government loan valued at 1.65 billion Australian dollars, equivalent to approximately 214 billion Kenyan shillings, with refining operations scheduled to begin in 2027.
The consortium has established a binding offtake agreement to process all rare earth concentrate produced at the site.
Any eventual development license requires a joint venture with the National Mining Corporation (NAMICO) under the Mining Act.
While the consortium has advanced to the final tender stage, the ministry has not yet granted final approval or issued a formal prospecting license.
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