RareX to support Kenyan students at Curtin Uni

• REE signs 5-year scholarship deal to support Kenyan students at Curtin Uni
• Part of company’s investment in future workforce in critical minerals sector
• REE aims to develop the Mrima Hill rare earths and niobium project in Kenya

Special Report: RareX has entered a five-year deal with Curtin University to support Kenyan students in critical minerals education and training.

The company will initiate a scholarship pathway for Kenyan students, enabling them to study mining-related disciplines at Curtin University and participate in on-the-job training, including at Iluka’s Eneabba rare earths facility. 

The initiative builds on the company’s MoU with the university for the development of Mrima Hill, one of Africa’s most strategic rare earth and niobium projects.

The project has a non-JORC resource of 150Mt grading just under 4% total rare earth oxides with 0.7% niobium along with other metals.

It’s also just 15km from the Indian Ocean in comparison to most rare earth projects which are typically inland and landlocked.

RareX (ASX:REE) is the lead proponent in a consortium with Iluka Resources, supported by global experts including WSP, Ausenco, AMC Consultants and Canaccord Genuity, to develop the project. 

The project proposal has been submitted to the Kenyan Government for consideration under a proposed joint venture with NAMICO, Kenya’s state mining company. 

Scholarships will begin if and when the proposal is formally accepted by the Kenyan Government. 

Investing in Kenya’s critical minerals sector

The educational commitments complement partnerships built into the proposal including Iluka’s government-backed Eneabba REE refinery, Ausenco’s EPCM and local construction capability, WSP’s socio-environmental expertise and the US-aligned GEM financing facility.

The company said the agreement aligned with its commitment to embedding social and environmental outcomes in project development from inception.

It also supports RareX’s alignment with the Australian Government’s Indo-Pacific strategy and the U.S. Government’s push for diversified critical minerals supply chains, an alignment reinforced by GEM’s U.S.-based initial $25M facility currently being finalised. 

“This partnership with Curtin University is an investment in the future of Kenya’s critical minerals sector, and a clear signal of our commitment to do things the right way; by investing in people, in skills, and in long-term community benefit,” managing director James Durrant said.

“We are not just proposing a mine; we are proposing an ecosystem of value that begins with education and builds sustainable sovereign benefits.”

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.