How Kenya’s sacred Mrima Hill became new front in US-China minerals rivalry

AI Summary

Kenya’s sacred Mrima Hill has become a new strategic site in the US-China rivalry over critical minerals. Both US and Chinese companies are competing for mining rights to rare earths and niobium, with the US offering support for local processing industry development.

Mrima Hill, a sacred site about 65km (40 miles) southwest of Mombasa on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast, is emerging as a new front in the US-China rivalry for critical minerals. US-led and Chinese bidders are competing for rights to develop the site, which is rich in rare earths and niobium, a metal used to make steel stronger and lighter. American officials have offered to support Kenya’s development of its domestic critical minerals processing industry as Washington seeks to challenge Beijing’s...