Kenya’s Mining Minister reveals the nation’s inaugural identification of valuable coltan deposits.
This rare mineral is essential in the production of electric car batteries, mobile phones, and various other electronic devices.
Over 70% of the world’s coltan reserves are concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, contributing to prolonged violent conflicts in the eastern region for decades.
The size of the recently discovered coltan deposits in Kenya remains uncertain.
Mining authorities had previously suggested the presence of the highly valuable ore in Kenya. However, on Wednesday, Kenya’s Minister for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Salim Mvurya, officially confirmed the existence of coltan reserves in the country.
The mineral deposits have been identified in six counties across the country in Kenya, but their economic value is still to be determined.
“We will leave our teams behind to do ground truthing so that we can now begin to assess the economic value of that particular mineral,” Mr Mvurya said.
In the wake of the mineral discovery, residents of Embu County in eastern Kenya, among the six counties with confirmed reserves, are encouraged to maintain ownership of their land.
Nebart Muriuki, an MP from Embu County, emphasized the significance of the mineral discovery, stating, “A precious mineral has been found here, and if you want to benefit, you should not sell your land,” as reported by the privately-owned East African newspaper.
Mr. Mvurya stated that the discovery is anticipated to generate additional employment opportunities and foster the growth of Kenya’s mining industry.
Despite currently constituting less than 1% of Kenya’s GDP, mining holds the potential to contribute up to 10%, as per the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).
Coltan is commonly processed into metallic tantalum, a heat-resistant powder crucial for manufacturing capacitors. These capacitors, in turn, play a key role in the production of various electronic devices.
The price of coltan varies based on its tantalum content, but on average, a kilogram of this rare ore fetches around $48 (£37), as reported by Forbes.
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Analysts highlight the rapid growth in international demand for coltan, identifying it as a significant driving force behind the conflict in eastern DR Congo. Rival militias engage in battles for control of mines producing coltan and other valuable minerals.
DR Congo, along with its neighboring country Rwanda, stands as one of the world’s leading suppliers of coltan.