This even as the United States steps up its interest in the deposits and local opposition to mining grows A section of Mrima Hill in Lunga-Lunga, Kwale county Kenya’s Mrima Hill in Kwale County is moving closer to becoming a major critical-minerals development after an Australian-led consortium advanced to the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage.
This comes as the United States steps up its interest in Kenya’s critical-minerals sector and local opposition to mining grows. This comes as the United States steps up its interest in Kenya’s critical-minerals sector, while local groups continue to raise concerns about mining at the site.
The consortium of Australian rare-earths company RareX and mining major Iluka Resources was shortlisted by the Kenyan government after an initial expression-of-interest process. Its detailed proposal is due in October 2026. RareX and Iluka are proposing an integrated development in which mining and initial processing would take place in Kenya, with the project producing rare earths, niobium and potentially phosphate and manganese by-products.
The rare-earth concentrate could subsequently be processed at Iluka’s Eneabba rare-earth refinery in Western Australia. The proposal is supported by engineering and environmental specialists including Ausenco and WSP, while RareX has also been undertaking early community engagement through Kenyan consultancy AWEMAC.
If selected, the Australian companies envisage a 75:25 RareX-Iluka special-purpose vehicle, with RareX leading development and Iluka providing downstream processing and offtake arrangements. Iluka would have rights over rare-earth and mineral-sands products, potentially feeding its Eneabba refinery, which is being developed with Australian government-backed financing.