Race for critical minerals
What happened
Two recent stories underline how strategic minerals are reshaping geopolitics: Poland’s deep copper and silver deposits are becoming a critical European source for electronics and clean‑energy supply chains, while Kenya has launched a $62 billion tender to develop niobium and rare‑earth deposits at Mrima Hill that has drawn U.S.‑China rivalry and local controversy. The Kenya project is being framed as both an economic gamble and a geopolitical prize—raising questions about corruption, regional competition and who controls future tech inputs. (us.fashionnetwork.com) (dailynews.co.tz)
Why it matters
Poland’s state-linked miner KGHM produced about 710,000 tonnes of payable copper — the amount of refined copper a mine can actually sell after processing — and roughly 1,347 tonnes of metallic silver in 2025. (kghm.com) Those volumes come from deep operations such as the Polkowice–Sieroszowice mine and are concentrated enough that KGHM supplies roughly 40–50% of Europe’s copper, making the company a strategic supplier for the continent’s industrial base. (france24.com) (us.fashionnetwork.com) Copper is central to electric vehicles, power wiring and grid infrastructure because it conducts electricity efficiently, and silver is widely used in electronics and solar panels for its high electrical conductivity; global copper demand is projected to rise substantially over coming decades, increasing the value of concentrated European supply. (france24.com) (miningsee.eu) Kenya’s government issued a formal gazette notice on March 24, 2026 inviting expressions of interest to develop the Mrima Hill deposits and placed the project’s commercial value at about $62.4 billion (roughly KSh 8.1 trillion). (thekenyatimes.com) (africa.businessinsider.com) Mrima Hill’s target minerals are niobium — a metal used to make high‑strength steel alloys for aerospace and infrastructure — and rare‑earth elements, the group of metals used in permanent magnets for electric motors, wind turbines and advanced electronics; bidders must demonstrate technical capacity, financial resources and plans for local processing. (thekenyatimes.com) (africa.businessinsider.com) Several consortia and firms have been linked to Mrima Hill in recent months — an Australian RareX–Iluka consortium lodged formal proposals last year and a U.S.-backed group called Mrima Earth has also submitted value‑added development plans — and both Washington‑aligned and China‑aligned interests have been reported as watching the tender. (rarex.com.au) (intellinews.com) (thekenyatimes.com) Local controversy has accompanied the tender: officials have been criticized for granting licences and advancing negotiations without wide local consultation, and civil‑society and county representatives have demanded clearer terms on environmental protections, revenue sharing and community resettlement. (standardmedia.co.ke) (dailynews.co.tz)
Key numbers
- (us.fashionnetwork.com) (dailynews.co.tz) Poland’s state-linked miner KGHM produced about 710,000 tonnes of payable copper — the amount of refined copper a mine can actually sell after processing — and roughly 1,347 tonnes of metallic silver in 2025.
- (kghm.com) Those volumes come from deep operations such as the Polkowice–Sieroszowice mine and are concentrated enough that KGHM supplies roughly 40–50% of Europe’s copper, making the company a strategic supplier for the continent’s industrial base.
- (france24.com) (miningsee.eu) Kenya’s government issued a formal gazette notice on March 24, 2026 inviting expressions of interest to develop the Mrima Hill deposits and placed the project’s commercial value at about $62.4 billion (roughly KSh 8.1 trillion).
Quick answers
What happened in Race for critical minerals?
Two recent stories underline how strategic minerals are reshaping geopolitics: Poland’s deep copper and silver deposits are becoming a critical European source for electronics and clean‑energy supply chains, while Kenya has launched a $62 billion tender to develop niobium and rare‑earth deposits at Mrima Hill that has drawn U.S.‑China rivalry and local controversy. The Kenya project is being framed as both an economic gamble and a geopolitical prize—raising questions about corruption, regional competition and who controls future tech inputs. (us.fashionnetwork.com) (dailynews.co.tz)
Why does Race for critical minerals matter?
Poland’s state-linked miner KGHM produced about 710,000 tonnes of payable copper — the amount of refined copper a mine can actually sell after processing — and roughly 1,347 tonnes of metallic silver in 2025. (kghm.com) Those volumes come from deep operations such as the Polkowice–Sieroszowice mine and are concentrated enough that KGHM supplies roughly 40–50% of Europe’s copper, making the company a strategic supplier for the continent’s industrial base. (france24.com) (us.fashionnetwork.com) Copper is central to electric vehicles, power wiring and grid infrastructure because it conducts electricity efficiently, and silver is widely used in electronics and solar panels for its high electrical conductivity; global copper demand is projected to rise substantially over coming decades, increasing the value of concentrated European supply. (france24.com) (miningsee.eu) Kenya’s government issued a formal gazette notice on March 24, 2026 inviting expressions of interest to develop the Mrima Hill deposits and placed the project’s commercial value at about $62.4 billion (roughly KSh 8.1 trillion). (thekenyatimes.com) (africa.businessinsider.com) Mrima Hill’s target minerals are niobium — a metal used to make high‑strength steel alloys for aerospace and infrastructure — and rare‑earth elements, the group of metals used in permanent magnets for electric motors, wind turbines and advanced electronics; bidders must demonstrate technical capacity, financial resources and plans for local processing. (thekenyatimes.com) (africa.businessinsider.com) Several consortia and firms have been linked to Mrima Hill in recent months — an Australian RareX–Iluka consortium lodged formal proposals last year and a U.S.-backed group called Mrima Earth has also submitted value‑added development plans — and both Washington‑aligned and China‑aligned interests have been reported as watching the tender. (rarex.com.au) (intellinews.com) (thekenyatimes.com) Local controversy has accompanied the tender: officials have been criticized for granting licences and advancing negotiations without wide local consultation, and civil‑society and county representatives have demanded clearer terms on environmental protections, revenue sharing and community resettlement. (standardmedia.co.ke) (dailynews.co.tz)
