A new US-backed consortium, Mrima Earth Ltd, has proposed a novel value chain approach for the extraction and development of rare-earth minerals at Kwale County’s Mrima Hills, aiming to inject billions of US dollars into Kenya’s economy.

• The consortium, predominantly owned by US shareholders, is financially supported by leading North American institutional investors and a major US strategic partner.
• Instead of merely exporting raw ore, Mrima Earth Consortium plans to develop the resource in stages, focusing on creating a value-added product within Kenya.
• The strategy includes extensive knowledge transfer, skills development, training programmes, and long-term job creation for the local community, and is led by a globally experienced management team, including a technical head formerly of Molycorp’s Mountain Pass rare earth project in California.