US pursues mining partnership with Kenya to develop mineral sector

The US is moving to partner with Kenya to help develop the country's mining and minerals sector, a State Department official said Sept. 14.

The US is pursuing several potential mining opportunities in Kenya that involve advanced mining technologies and could help expand mining in the country, Frank Garcia, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, told Platts in an emailed response.

The US private sector's interest brings capital, technical expertise and commercial relationships that could help catalyze the development of Kenya's mining sector in a competitive and business-friendly manner, Garcia said.

"We look forward to continuing our close partnership with the Kenyan government to make that opportunity a reality — and to add critical-minerals cooperation to an already strong bilateral relationship," Garcia said. Critical minerals are a "top priority for President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio "and we are ready to partner with Kenya," he added.

The Trump administration has sought to expand critical minerals partnerships with allies as part of efforts to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on China, which dominates the processing and production of critical minerals.

The State Department comments come as Kenya considers bids to develop the Mrima Hill rare earth and niobium project, which contains materials essential for industries like aerospace, electric vehicles and electronics. Finalists for the project include US mining company Critical Metals Corp. and Australia's RareX Ltd.

Platts is part of S&P Global Energy.