Lindian Resources is powering towards the production finish line at its Kangankunde rare earths project in Malawi, having already stockpiled 125,000 tonnes of ore on the run-of-mine (ROM) pad well ahead of schedule.
With mining now in full swing at the stage one pit, drill-and-blast activities, ore haulage and ROM stockpiling are running around the clock as Lindian steadily builds momentum towards final commissioning and first monazite concentrate production, which remains firmly on track for the end of the year.
The update also follows a recent site visit by Malawi’s Minister of Mining, Thoko Tembo, who inspected the rapidly advancing operation and officially initiated the mine’s 14th production blast.
Kangankunde's growing ore stockpile forms part of a deliberate strategy by Lindian to de-risk the plant start-up phase, ensuring ample feedstock is available to support a smoother ramp-up to steady-state production once processing begins.
The company says ongoing construction of its processing plant is also progressing night and day, with crews now focused on the final stages of mechanical installation, piping, electrical works and instrumentation as the project races towards the finish line.
Key infrastructure is falling into place, with bulk earthworks for the tailings storage facility complete, while the 33-kilovolt power infrastructure is substantially advanced, a critical step for commissioning next month.
The project is already delivering a major economic boost to Malawi, with locals making up more than 85 per cent of Lindian’s direct workforce. Site activity has also swelled the broader construction workforce to more than 3000 people, the overwhelming majority of whom are Malawian nationals, highlighting Kangankunde’s growing importance as a driver of jobs, skills development and economic growth in the region.
The Honourable Minister of Mining Thoko Tembo said: “We expect a lot more than just revenue. We've got the jobs that the project will create, and the local people who will be supplying it. Not just from the tax - we expect that Kangankunde can open doors, develop Malawi and help with other areas as well.”
The Minister’s comments align with a broader push by the Malawian government to capture more value from its mining sector, making Lindian’s mine-to-product strategy particularly relevant.
The company is developing what is considered one of the most significant rare earths deposits in Africa, hosting a massive resource of 261 million tonnes grading 2.19 per cent total rare earth oxides (TREO).
The deposit also includes a high-grade core of 26 million tonnes at a whopping 3.7 per cent TREO, with the richer material set to provide the initial feed for the stage one process plant.
Lindian has now nearly fully transformed from a project developer into a wholly integrated rare earths producer. With first production at Kangankunde fast approaching and the company holding a strategic interest in the SARECO rare earths processing facility in Kazakhstan, Lindian is steadily building exposure across multiple stages of the value chain.
The evolution positions the company as an increasingly sophisticated international rare earths business with operations spanning mining, processing and downstream product development across multiple jurisdictions.
Lindian has also cleverly locked in a partnership with French processing expert Carester to develop an oxide separation facility in Kazakhstan, alongside a binding offtake agreement for its future high-value heavy rare earth products.
With ore on the pad and the plant taking shape, Lindian appears to be hitting its stride at a pivotal moment for the global rare earths market. The countdown is on to first concentrate, with commissioning in Malawi expected to land by the end of next month.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@businessnews.com.au
By Andrew Todd
