US says it will help develop Kenya's critical minerals processing

The United States will help Kenya develop a critical minerals processing industry, a senior American official said on Wednesday, against the backdrop of rivalry between China and the U.S. over access to critical minerals.

Kenya is considering bids to develop the coastal Mrima Hill deposit, which is expected to contain tens of billions of dollars' worth of rare earth minerals and niobium, a metal used in aerospace manufacturing.

"Critical minerals are a top priority for President (Donald) Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and we are ready to work with Kenya as it becomes a regional leader in this space," Frank Garcia, assistant secretary of state for Africa, told a meeting of the Kenyan business lobby group American Chamber of Commerce.

"We are ready to help you build a mining sector that is transparent and attracts legitimate businesses, respects communities and helps secure global supply chains."