US-led and Chinese bidders are competing for rights to develop the site, which is rich in rare earths and niobium, a metal used to make steel stronger and lighter.

American officials have offered to support Kenya’s development of its domestic critical minerals processing industry as Washington seeks to challenge Beijing’s dominance of global rare earth refining.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Kenyan President William Ruto on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last week. They discussed how Kenya’s critical minerals resources could “position the country as a key player in the sector while presenting opportunities for US firms to provide value addition”.