Nairobi, March 11 -- London-listed Marula Mining has agreed to a deal to acquire a 60 percent stake in a manganese mining operation in Samburu County from local operator Gems and Industrial Minerals Limited (GIM) via cash and share swaps worth up to Sh280.2 million (1.55 million pounds).

Marula signalled its intention to enter the Kenyan mining sector a year ago when it hired PricewaterhouseCoopers Kenya (PwC Kenya) as a transaction, legal and tax advisor to guide local acquisitions and potential dual listings of the company's shares on regional stock exchanges.

The Africa-focused battery metals investment and exploration company has interests in several mine projects in Africa; Blesberg Lithium and Tantalum Mine in South Africa, Nkombw...