Early-stage site works at Lindian Resources Ltd’s flagship Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi has started - a key milestone in the delivery of one of the world’s most significant undeveloped rare earths assets.
Lindian has initiated civil and infrastructure development works as part of its strategy to accelerate Stage 1 construction and reduce associated risks. These early activities follow the February 2025 start of a 5-kilometre access road, which is progressing well ahead of schedule and is expected to be completed in the June quarter.
Access Road construction well underway to the Kangankunde Project.
Pre-construction earthworks have now begun, alongside the completion of critical site infrastructure, including plant processing and product storage areas, laydown zones for equipment, and dedicated management and security compounds. The timely progress of the access road has enabled Lindian to redeploy machinery and personnel from the road construction teams to support these works, delivering notable time and cost efficiencies.
Among the company’s priorities is the integration of the local workforce into project development. More than 70% of current on-site roles are filled by local employees, and Lindian is actively rolling out skills development and training programs to expand the regional workforce as project activities scale up.
Lindian’s new management team is focused on positioning Kangankunde for streamlined development, while also contributing to sustainable economic benefits in the surrounding community.
“The initiation of these projects showcases Lindian’s dedication to progressing Kangankunde with both urgency and a fresh perspective. By assembling a seasoned construction team and collaborating with skilled contractors to optimise initial infrastructure development, we are establishing a strong groundwork for effective project execution,” chair of Project Delivery Zac Komur said.
“Through collaboration, best practice efficiencies and on-site management the current road works are ahead of schedule allowing for the company to utilise equipment and skilled personnel, delivering pre-development time and significant cost savings. This milestone signifies our commitment to providing lasting value for shareholders whilst fast-tracking the development of Kangankunde.”
Area cleared for process plant, product storage, and monazite concentrate loading area.
Local community input
Lindian continues to strengthen ties with local communities as development advances at Kangankunde. The company is prioritising regional economic uplift by creating employment opportunities and supporting local enterprises. In tandem, training programs are being established to build workforce capabilities and ensure meaningful participation in project activities.
Throughout the project lifecycle, Lindian is maintaining a strong focus on safety and sustainability, aligning operations with international best practice.
Contributing to clean tech devleopment
The Kangankunde Project is a cornerstone asset in the company’s portfolio and is expected to contribute meaningfully to the global supply of rare earth elements, which are essential components in clean energy technologies.
Through the project, Lindian continues to position itself as an emerging leader in the critical minerals sector, supporting the global energy transition through responsible development. The company has committed to regular updates on project milestones and will maintain transparent engagement with stakeholders.
Environmental stewardship remains a priority, with the management team implementing measures to minimise the ecological footprint of the development.
Lindian’s commitment to sustainable development practices, include:
- adopting best-in-class environmental management standards;
- partnering with local businesses and suppliers;
- supporting socio-economic uplift for surrounding communities.
Lindian Teams with ANSTO
News of the start of early stage site works comes just days after Lindian commenced downstream metallurgical testwork on its high-grade monazite concentrate from Kangankunde. The work is being conducted in partnership with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). The focus of the testwork is to evaluate two processing methods—sulfuric acid bake and caustic cracking—to determine the optimal process for producing a mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) product.
Read more: Lindian begins downstream testwork with ANSTO on high-grade Kangankunde rare earth concentrate
The concentrate from Kangankunde is noted for its high total rare earth oxides (TREO) content of 55%, as well as the absence of deleterious elements and very low levels of uranium and thorium. These characteristics make the material more suitable for markets with stringent radionuclide regulations, such as Europe and North America, and help to minimise environmental and permitting hurdles.
Lindian aims to establish a technically sound and environmentally responsible supply chain to address increasing global demand for secure and diversified critical mineral sources. The testwork results will support the company’s ongoing engagement with potential offtake partners, refiners, and strategic investors. A formal Certificate of Analysis will be provided once testwork is finished.