Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology has inked an agreement with the Marula Mining PLC to undertake strategic exchanges on a wide variety of educational and applied research programs focused on maximizing value from the development of Kenya’s mining sector.
The 5-year Collaborative Research and Academic Agreement will see the two institutions establish a framework for cooperative joint research in the mining, mineral processing, mineral value addition and associated fields.
Additionally, the agreement sets the stage for professional skills enhancement through training, joint ventures, exchanges, learning and exposures visits, curricula development and review of relevant courses and trainings. Also earmarked under the partnership are staff and students’ interactions and exchange of experiences and information.
Specific issues already teased for implementation under the partnership include research and technological development of mineral and metallurgical processes; refining and purification of raw materials as well as research and technological innovation on the extraction, production and supply of high purity lithium and graphite products.
The Chief Executive Officer of Marula Mining, Jason Brewer, said the partnership with JKUAT was a major milestone for his company, in Kenya.
“Marula is delighted to be working alongside such a prestigious and established technical university here in Kenyan and through this partnership we are looking at establishing Kenya at the forefront of mineral research in the critical metals sector,” Jason said.
“It is no secret that our ambitions for Marula extend beyond just conventional mining and mineral processing and into the production of high value, refined and intermediate critical metal products for the electric vehicle and energy transition sectors,” he added.
JKUAT Vice chancellor Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi welcomed the agreement, terming it an opportune intervention that would catalyse JKUAT’s involvement in Kenya’s mining sector through training, research and technology transfer.
“Through this collaboration, we’re set to undertake innovative joint research projects that drives innovation and build crucial capacity within the fields of Mining, Mineral Processing, and Mineral Value Addition,” Prof. Ngumi said.
“We’re particularly enthusiastic about the practical applications of this partnership, which include developing technology for processing and refining raw materials into battery components. These efforts directly support Kenya’s industrialization agenda as well as global vision to fashion more livable and a sustainable world,” Prof. Ngumi added.
The Vice chancellor further noted that the Marula partnership is positioned to make substantial contributions to the mining sector and beyond, fostering innovation and cultivating a highly skilled workforce ready for the future.
Marula Mining is an African focused battery metals investment and exploration company and has interests in several high value mining operations and mine development projects in Africa. The company’s strategy is to identify and invest in advanced and high-value mining projects throughout East, Central and Southern Africa.