KENYAN FARMERS RAISE CONCERNS OVER MRIMA HILL MINING PLANS

Farmers and community elders in Mrima, in Kenya's Kwale County, have raised concerns over plans to mine rare earth elements and niobium at Mrima Hill, near the Indian Ocean coast close to the Tanzanian border. The hill contains a sacred forest, known as a kaya, where community members say their ancestors are buried. Justus Mwero, chairman of the Mrima Farm Owners Community-Based Organisation, which has around 500 farmers, said: "We haven't been informed about the process at all. We don't know how people are going to be looked after, or what impact the project will have."

The proposed development comes as countries compete to secure supplies of rare earth elements and other critical minerals used in electric vehicle motors, wind turbines and defence technologies, while reducing reliance on China for mineral processing. Residents say they have received little information about where extraction would take place or how it might affect their farms and livelihoods. Farmers gathered beside the main road in Mrima to discuss the proposals as the forested hill stood across the street. "We are waiting to see what is going to happen," Mwero said.

Mining Minister Hassan Joho said a technical committee was evaluating five proposals for the project, with an announcement expected within two to three weeks. The ministry has not disclosed the nationalities of the bidders, citing confidentiality. Australian company RareX said its consortium with Iluka Resources, another Australian firm, submitted a proposal on 21 October. Critical Metals Corp said in July that its consortium had been shortlisted for the final stage of bidding. Joho said the Kenyan government viewed mining and local mineral processing as a way to expand the economy and create jobs.