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

Kenya's Mrima Hill, a sacred site near Mombasa, has become a focal point in the US-China competition for critical minerals. Both US-backed and Chinese companies are vying for development rights to the site, which holds significant deposits of rare earths and niobium. Niobium is a metal crucial for producing stronger, lighter steel. American officials are offering support for Kenya's domestic critical minerals processing industry as part of Washington's strategy to counter Beijing's influence in this sector. This competition highlights the growing global demand for these essential resources.