Cabinet Secretary for Mining Ali Hassan Joho has said that a recent survey shows that the country has the earth’s rare minerals, including copper and uranium.

Joho is in South Africa for the 2025 Indaba Conference, and on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, he met with the Deputy Minister of Mining from the Republic of Somalia. He was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Mining, Elijah Mwangi, and the Kenyan Ambassador to South Africa, Jane Ndurumo.

In a post on X after the meeting, the former Mombasa County Governor listed the minerals he says the recent survey showed were present.

“Held a series of meetings at the Indaba 2025 Conference, among them a bilateral with the Deputy Minister of Mining from the Republic of Somalia, where we reaffirmed our commitment to fostering a collaborative approach to mineral exploration and the blue economy.

“I also had engagements with the Chief Executive Officers of several key companies in the mining sector, including NGX, which is a member of the Apollo Group of Companies, Karebe Gold, and IXM Metals. The NGX Company has expressed keen interest in uranium mining in Kenya, while IXM Metals boasts a long-standing history in copper and cobalt mining across Africa.

“It is encouraging that our most recent geophysical survey revealed the presence of critical and strategic minerals, including uranium, copper, coltan, nickel, niobium, lithium, tantalum, tin, tsavorite, graphite, chromite, thorium, and rare earth,” he said.

Investment destination

Meanwhile, Joho also had engagements with representatives from mining companies and explained why Kenya is a good investment destination.

“I had a productive investors breakfast meeting with representatives of various mining companies and consulting firms on the sidelines of the Indaba 2025 Mining Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

“During the meeting, I seized the opportunity to promote our country as an emerging regional mining and trading hub. I highlighted our immense comparative advantages, including a progressive legislative framework, robust logistics, and infrastructural strengths.

“Our discussion emphasized the importance of positioning the mining sector as a key avenue for wealth creation and sustainable economic growth,” he said in a separate statement on X.