Kenya+Strategic+Minerals

=China's Geological Exploration Technology Institute Of Jianso Conducting USD 70 Million Aerial Survey Of Kenya's Mineral Potential, Chinese Investors Unlikely To Invest Over The Next Five Years= ==Executive Summary:== Kenya enlisted the help of China's Geological Exploration Technology Institute of Jianso to conduct a USD 70 million aerial survey of its mineral deposits over the next two to three years, hoping to establish the countries mineral wealth. However, because of the length of the survey as well as the lengthy process of exploiting minerals, Chinese strategic mineral investors are unlikely to invest over the next five years in Kenyan minerals. Kenya has had no past or current Chinese strategic mineral investments, with the only opportunities presenting themselves at the end of the survey or projects such as a planned Lamu 900-1000 MW coal power plant, where 26 companies currently have bids for the project.

===Discussion:=== Kenya has known available strategic minerals such as limestone, salt, and zinc, leading to Kenya assigning China's Geological Exploration Technology Institute of Jiansu to conduct a joint nationwide aerial survey of the east African nation's mineral deposits, stepping up plans to exploit its mineral resources with its recent oil and gas discoveries. The Kenyan government is constructing a minerals laboratory in the country for investors to test the extracted natural resources, hoping to reduce costs for miners. The ministry also plans to build a 900-1,000KW coal power plant in Lamu, with 26 companies currently in the process of bidding for the project. Despite all these attempts by the Kenyan government to get foreign investments, China has no current plans to invest in Kenya's strategic minerals.

**Analytic Confidence: **
Analytic confidence for this assessment is moderate. Source reliability is medium. There is no conflict between sources. The analyst had low expertise, worked alone but collaborated with a team, and did not use structured analytic methods. The subject is moderately complex and the deadline was moderately difficult to meet.


 * Analyst**: David Bott