Fluor Corp is among five contenders seeking to develop Kenya's Mrima Hill critical-minerals deposit after Chinese companies Hunan Research Institute for Nonferrous Metals and Jinan Yuxiao Group Co. Ltd. withdrew from the process. Kenya's mining minister Hassan Ali Joho said a final decision would come within two to three weeks after tenders were submitted on October 21. The deposit, about 65 kilometres from Mombasa, is believed to contain tens of billions of dollars' worth of rare earth minerals and niobium, a metal used in aerospace manufacturing. The bidding comes as US President Donald Trump prioritizes access to critical minerals and Washington seeks to reduce dependence on China. Kenya says it wants a transparent process and intends to pursue partnerships with both the United States and China while processing more minerals domestically.