Kenya’s mining minister announced the discovery of its first coltan deposits, a valuable mineral used in electric car batteries and electronic devices.
The Democratic Republic of Congo dominates global coltan reserves, contributing to conflicts. While Kenya hinted at traces before, Minister Salim Mvurya confirmed the existence of coltan reserves in six counties, with their precise value yet to be assessed.
“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.
Residents of Embu County in eastern Kenya, one of the six counties with reserves of the mineral, have been advised to hold onto their land.
Mvurya highlighted that the discovery is anticipated to generate more employment opportunities and boost Kenya’s mining sector. Despite currently contributing less than 1% to Kenya’s GDP, mining holds the potential to increase its share to 10%, as indicated by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).
Coltan, often processed into metallic tantalum, a heat-resistant powder crucial for capacitor production, plays a key role in manufacturing electronic devices. The market value of coltan depends on its tantalum content, averaging $48 (£37) per kilogram, as reported by Forbes.
The escalating international demand for coltan is a significant factor fueling conflicts in eastern DR Congo, where rival militias vie for control over mines producing coltan and other precious minerals. DR Congo and neighboring Rwanda stand out as leading global suppliers of coltan.
