Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN, OTC:LINIF) has completed the early works program at the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi on schedule and within budget. Lindian is now positioned to start main construction, with contractor Mota-Engil to demobilise major equipment on or before October 20, 2025, and finalise a snag list by November 1, 2025.
Key works completed include:
- Foundational site development to enable the transition to main construction.
- A 5.5-kilometre (km) all-access road, providing full movement of personnel, materials, and equipment to site.
- Construction of a security gatehouse, with gates to be installed by mid-November, making site access secure and operational.
- Completion of permanent ablution facilities for site personnel.
- Clearing of the administration area, ready for construction activities.
- Commissioning of power to the security building, with reliable power supply now operational and water to the office ablution connected.
- Establishment of a contractors’ laydown area, including ablutions, storage, solar power, and septic systems.
Contractors’ laydown area at Kangankunde.
Lindian has also procured an owner-operator mining fleet — Komatsu haulage, loading and earthmoving units alongside a Sandvik drill rig — with full fleet mobilisation targeted for a January 2026 start.
An optimised mine design is underway.
Near-term workstreams
With key early works at the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project wrapped up, Lindian now shifts to near-term workstreams: mobilising non-process infrastructure (NPI) contractors, commencing tailings storage facility (TSF) earthworks, building the major haul road, starting foundational works for the administration building and workshops, expanding the power distribution network, and advancing camp, fuel and explosives infrastructure.
Completed culvert on site at Kangankunde.
In parallel, Lindian will complete process plant design-and-construct (D&C) tender evaluation and move to contract award, targeting alignment with the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) capital envelope and first product in 2026.
The company has placed orders for an owner-operator mining fleet from Komatsu, including five HM400 articulated dump trucks, a D155AX dozer, PC300 and PC600 excavators, WA380 and WA480 loaders, a GD675 grader and service units. Komatsu’s Blantyre-based team, about 90 kilometres from site, will supply consignment parts and maintenance support. A Sandvik Pantera DP1510i T3 top-hammer drill rig is also being procured.
Delivery and mobilisation are scheduled to have all equipment on site by January 2026, with mine design and planning well advanced.