BALAKA, MALAWI — Malawi’s strategy to gain more from its mineral resources is evident in the Kangankunde rare earths development in Balaka. Lindian Resources, which is an Australia-based company developing the site, is working to achieve first production in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Recent activities in the area include mining and blasting to build necessary infrastructure. The Kangankunde project has total mineral resources of 261 million tons with an average grade of 2.14 per cent total rare-earth oxides.
The site is particularly rich in key critical minerals vital for modern technology. “The key ingredients that we have here are neodymium and praseodymium… and that’s what is used in magnet manufacturing, so magnets anywhere from magnets that you use in your phone, to ones that are used in motors, wind turbines,” stated Zac Komur, Executive Director at Lindian Resources.
In line with Malawi’s government directive that requires no exportation of raw minerals out of the country, Kangankunde ore will be processed into monazite concentrate in-country before being exported to Kazakhstan. Secondary processing of the ore at Lindian’s SARECO plant in Kazakhstan will begin in Q4 2026.
Mines Minister Thoko Tembo reinforced the government’s firm policy position: “As the government, we are serious about ensuring that there is value addition here in the country. This is something that now all mining companies are aware of, and this is something that we are very sure that we have to enforce.”
Despite government inspections clearing the operation of all licensing and environmental issues, Kangankunde is still well placed to exploit one of the world’s biggest low-radiation rare earth reserves.
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