Precious Metals
- Gold – Found in Migori and Kakamega Counties; artisanal and large-scale mining operations.
- Silver – Often associated with gold deposits in western Kenya.
Industrial Minerals
- Soda Ash – Lake Magadi (Rift Valley); Kenya is one of the world’s largest producers.
- Gypsum – Kajiado, Garissa, Tana River; used in construction and plaster.
- Fluorspar – Kerio Valley (Elgeyo Marakwet); used in steelmaking and chemicals.
- Salt – Malindi, Ngomeni, Lamu; produced from sea water evaporation.
Energy Minerals
- Coal – Mui Basin (Kitui County); potential for power generation.
- Oil & Gas – Turkana (Lokichar Basin); commercial oil discoveries made.
Base & Ferrous Metals
- Copper – Kitui, Kwale, Turkana; under exploration.
- Iron Ore – Taita Taveta, Kitui, Tharaka-Nithi; used in steel production.
- Lead & Zinc – Kwale, Migori; found in small deposits.
Strategic & Rare Minerals
- Titanium (Ilmenite, Rutile, Zircon) – Kwale County (Base Titanium Mine); Kenya’s largest mining operation.
- Niobium – Mrima Hill (Kwale); associated with rare earth deposits.
- Rare Earth Elements (REEs) – Mrima Hill (Kwale); includes neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, terbium, europium, and yttrium.
- Coltan (Columbite-Tantalite) – Found in Rift Valley Mobile Belt; used in electronics.
Gemstones
- Tsavorite (Green Garnet) – Taita Taveta County; world-famous deposits.
- Ruby – Taita Taveta County.
- Sapphire – Baringo, Taita Taveta.
- Tourmaline – Kwale, Taita Taveta.
Key Insight
Kenya’s Kwale County is the most mineral-rich region (titanium, niobium, rare earths, gemstones), while Rift Valley hosts soda ash, fluorspar, and oil. Western Kenya (Migori, Kakamega) is the hub for gold. Many deposits remain underexploited, offering significant potential for investment and industrial growth.
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