Mrima Hill, located in Kenya’s coastal Kwale County, has become a focal point of global attention and local tension. Beneath its lush green forest lies one of the world’s richest deposits of rare earth minerals and niobium—essential materials for smartphones, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. These valuable resources have drawn the interest of global powers such as the United States, China, and Australia, each seeking to secure access to the minerals driving the transition to advanced technologies and low-carbon economies.
As the international race for these resources intensifies, local communities face growing uncertainty over their land, environment, and future. Mrima Hill now stands as both a symbol of promise and a warning, highlighting Kenya’s challenge to manage its natural wealth responsibly and ensure fair benefit-sharing with local populations.
Covering roughly 390 acres near the Indian Ocean, Mrima Hill may appear to be an ordinary forest, but beneath its soil lies immense economic potential. A 2013 report by Cortec Mining Kenya, a subsidiary of UK- and Canada-based Pacific Wildcat Resources, estimated that its rare earth and niobium deposits could be worth over US$62 billion. The site’s importance has attracted international attention: in June, then-U.S. interim ambassador Marc Dillard visited the area, while Australian firms RareX and Iluka Resources announced exploration plans. Reports have also surfaced of Chinese nationals attempting to access the site, further intensifying competition and local unease.
For the surrounding communities, primarily the Digo people, Mrima Hill is far more than a mineral reserve—it is a sacred forest that holds cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance. Generations have depended on it for food, medicine, and traditional practices. However, the prospect of mining has created tension and mistrust. Many residents fear displacement or exploitation, recalling past experiences where promises of development yielded little local benefit. “People come here with big cars, but we turn them away,” said community guard Juma Koja, expressing the deep mistrust rooted in years of unfulfilled promises.
Controversy has long surrounded Mrima Hill. In 2013, the Kenyan government revoked Cortec Mining Kenya’s licence, citing environmental and procedural violations. The company alleged political interference, further eroding public trust. Despite repeated legal challenges, the case remains a symbol of the country’s struggle with governance, transparency, and accountability in resource management.
Kenya’s mining sector has often been hindered by corruption, weak regulation, and environmental challenges. Although the government suspended new mining licences in 2019 to curb illegal practices, rising global demand for rare earth elements has reignited interest in revitalising the industry. The Ministry of Mining has since introduced reforms to attract investors, offering tax incentives, simplified procedures, and improved transparency. The goal is to raise mining’s contribution to GDP from less than one percent to ten percent by 2030.
Experts caution that success will depend on strong institutions and fair governance. Professor Daniel Weru Ichang’i, a retired economic geologist from the University of Nairobi, noted that “there’s a romantic idea that mining is a quick path to wealth, but without integrity and respect for the law, it risks becoming a source of exploitation rather than growth.”
Not everyone in Mrima Hill’s community opposes mining. Some residents, like Domitilla Mueni, see it as a chance for progress. “Why should we die poor while we have minerals?” she asked, reflecting the hope that mining could bring schools, jobs, and infrastructure. Yet, for many others, the fear of losing land and cultural identity outweighs the potential economic rewards.
Mrima Hill’s story reflects a broader dilemma facing many resource-rich nations: how to pursue economic growth without sacrificing environmental integrity or community well-being. For Kenya, it is a test of whether the benefits of mineral wealth can be shared equitably while protecting the country’s cultural and natural heritage. The forest’s sacred groves, unique plants, and deep spiritual roots stand as a reminder that true progress must balance prosperity with preservation.
