Nairobi, Sept. 9 -- The United States has pledged to help Kenya build factories and other industries around its rare earth and niobium deposits at the Coast, opening a potential new source of investment, technology transfer and skilled jobs.

Washington says it wants American companies to process the minerals in Kenya and develop industries around them in a proposed deal to access the mineral deposits at Mrima Hill in Kwale County.

US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia said the proposed partnership would include investment in processing, worker training, technology transfer and development of secondary industries.

"As Kenya builds its strategic mining sector, we want in, and we will be a long-term strategic pa...