Kenya is a land that has been endowed with many rare minerals, making it a global leader in the extraction of minerals and a major prospect for international mining companies.

Each year, new mineral deposits are discovered, each filled with minerals that contribute to part of the country’s GDP.

A 2023 survey found that Kenya has over 970 valuable minerals. The government is now verifying mining reserves in different counties.

This will allow county governments to issue permits to mining companies, speeding up the process of tapping into the valuable deposits.

Here are some of the most key minerals discovered in Kenya with high value:

1. Soda Ash

Among these minerals, soda ash is the most abundant, mined at Lake Magadi in the Rift Valley. It is the crown jewel of Kenya’s mineral wealth and the largest producer in Africa, with an annual output of around 360,000 metric tonnes.

Uses

1. Helps lower the melting point of silica to produce glass efficiently
2. Helps soaps and detergents work better by softening water and improving their lathering ability.
3. Ingredient for making other sodium compounds and in various chemical manufacturing processes.
4. Used in treating ores and preparing certain metals.
5. Helps with pulping and neutralizing strong acids in the pulp & paper industry.
6. Softens water by removing unwanted calcium & magnesium ions during treatment.
7. Used in the food industry to regulate pH, prevent clumping, and stabilize certain food products.

2. Fluorspar

Fluorspar in Kenya has been a tale of highs and lows. Production has varied greatly due to shifts in the global market, operational issues, and changing regulations. However, there is hope for a revival.

Kenya’s fluorspar production once reached 120,000 metric tonnes a year. However, due to declining global prices and operational issues, production was halted in 2016.

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Revival efforts for Kenya’s fluorspar industry are gaining momentum, with Soy-Fujax Mining Company investing in Sh. 4.8 billion to restart mining operations.

3. Gold

This valuable mineral is being discovered in growing quantities across Western Kenya, with companies like Shanta Gold leading the way. It’s mainly extracted in Kakamega, Migori, and the Turkana Basin.

Kenya currently produces around 565 kilograms of gold each year. As exploration efforts ramp up, the goal is to boost production and grow the industry.

Prices of gold fluctuate daily, however, it can be stated that a single gram of gold can be worth Sh. 9,500.