- 01Export position unchanged for Kangankunde monazite.
- 02Stage 1 fully funded; Q4 2026 first production.
- 03Malawi beneficiation supports export; regs in draft.
Lindian Resources (ASX: LIN) has confirmed that the export position for beneficiated monazite concentrate from its Kangankunde rare earths project in Malawi remains unchanged as development advances towards first production.
The Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority (MMRA) previously clarified that Kangankunde is not affected by Presidential Executive Order No. 2 of 2025 because its ore will be beneficiated in Malawi into concentrate before export.
The MMRA’s written clarification of 28 October 2025 recognised production of monazite concentrate through primary beneficiation in Malawi before export as domestic value addition, while applicable licensing, permitting, and compliance requirements continue to apply.
Proposed beneficiation regulations and legislative amendments remain in the drafting phase rather than final government policy, with consultation open until 10 October 2026.
Stage 1 remains fully funded through to first production, targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026, with mining underway and major construction works well advanced towards commissioning.
Export Position Holds
Lindian has been advised by Malawi’s minister of mining that the proposed beneficiation and value addition regulations are intended solely for consultation and should not be treated as a final determination of requirements applying to Kangankunde or its concentrate exports.
Discussions in Malawi have focused on testing the technical and economic viability of additional processing, with Lindian preparing a technical and commercial position paper and an agreed joint industry position with other listed mining companies operating in the country.
Executive chair Robert Martin and executive director Zac Komur are in Malawi engaging with the president and other relevant government bodies on a framework intended to support further value addition and continued mining investment.
“The MMRA’s existing clarification recognises the value addition we are building in Malawi and supports the export of our beneficiated monazite concentrate under the current framework,” executive chair Robert Martin said.
“We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the consultation—further processing needs a sound technical and commercial foundation, and we are ready to work with Government and industry to assess what can be achieved.”
Local Value Addition
Kangankunde’s Stage 1 beneficiation flowsheet will upgrade mined ore in Malawi through milling, crushing, grinding, classification, gravity concentration, magnetic separation, and product filtration before the resulting premium monazite concentrate is exported.
Lindian considers this beneficiation an established part of the rare earth value chain and a foundation for assessing whether further domestic processing can be technically and commercially justified.
The project has moved into mining while construction and key infrastructure progress towards commissioning, with Stage 1 fully funded and first production still targeted for Q4 2026.
Alongside Kangankunde, Lindian has completed the acquisition of the SARECO mixed rare earth carbonate processing facility in Kazakhstan, giving it full ownership of an established hydrometallurgical facility intended to provide a downstream pathway for Kangankunde concentrate.
The group is also progressing a Stage 2 definitive feasibility study aimed at a significant expansion in production capacity as it develops its broader rare earth supply chain.
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