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China firm lines up Sh2bn copper plant in Makueni
The ore will be mined through mechanised open-cast methods before being transported to an off-site processing facility, which will be developed under a separate assessment.
A Chinese firm is planning to set up a Sh2 billion copper mining plant at Mtito Andei in Makueni County, marking the latest wave of foreign-backed projects targeting Kenya’s emerging mining sector.
The move comes amid a rally in copper prices to a high of $12,986 (Sh1.7 million) per tonne in January 2026 driven by stockpiling amid global tariff wars and expansion of energy production, artificial intelligence and electrical mobility in which the commodity plays an essential role.
The Makueni project, linked to Shaanxi Africa Mining Company, will process copper ore extracted from deposits in the Ngiluni Settlement Scheme near Kamunyu Village, according to an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report filed with the National Environment Management Authority.
The mining zone covers multiple privately owned parcels spread across about 54 square kilometres.
The ore will be mined through mechanised open-cast methods before being transported to an off-site processing facility, which will be developed under a separate assessment.
“The proposed sites are spread across vast land where landowners have granted consent to the proponent to carry out mechanised copper ore mining. The area the proponent aims to undertake mining is approximately 54 square kilometres equivalent to 257 cadastre blocks,” reads the report in part.
The Chinese firm operates in northern Ghana as Shaanxi Mining Company Ghana Limited and has attracted controversy including allegations of human rights abuses, safety incidents and legal battle with an Australian firm over gold mines.
In 2019, Shaanxi Mining Ghana was fined by the Ghanaian government following a fatal explosion in January 2019 that killed 16 people.
The fines were based on findings of negligence and safety breaches. The copper mining project in Mtito Andei is limited to mining-related operations while the processing of minerals will be conducted at a separate location which the firm is yet to disclose.
The Sh2 billion budget covers site preparation, acquisition and mobilization of mining equipment, operational inputs, labour, environmental management obligations, rehabilitation activities and associated administrative expenses.
Developers say the project could create jobs for local residents, generate tax revenue for the government and support Kenya’s push to industrialise under Vision 2030. The project is also expected to formalise artisanal mining that has taken place in the area for years, replacing informal extraction with mechanised operations.
“The primary objective of the proposed copper mining project is to commercially extract copper ore deposits from identified sites in a sustainable, environmentally sound, and socially acceptable manner. The project is structured to transition traditional artisanal mining into a formalized, mechanised operation that adheres to regulatory requirements while delivering economic, social, and environmental benefits,” reads the ESIA report.
The project sites lie near River Athi, which is a major surface water resource, and the Kamungi Conservancy —an ecologically significant wildlife and community conservation area. All targeted parcels fall within private land where owners have voluntarily granted consent for mechanised copper ore mining operations.
The report notes that the lifespan of the proposed project will depend on the quantities of the copper ore deposit and financial sustainability of the business.
