Kenya's Mining Ambitions for Rare Earths Raise Concerns Among Local Farmers and Communities
Kenya's plans to mine valuable minerals, including niobium and rare earth elements, beneath Mrima Hill are generating significant concern among local farmers and community elders. Residents near Kenya's Indian Ocean coast and the Tanzanian border report receiving minimal information regarding the mining's location or its potential impact on their farms, livelihoods, and a sacred forest where ancestors are buried. Justus Mwero, chairman of the Mrima Farm Owners Community-Based Organization, stated that farmers are uninformed about the process and potential relocation. The proposed development is part of a global race to secure rare earth minerals, crucial for electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, and defense technologies, as countries seek alternatives to China's dominant processing capabilities. Kenya's Mining Minister Hassan Joho indicated that a technical committee is evaluating five proposals, with an announcement expected within two to three weeks. An Australian consortium, including RareX and Iluka ...