Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN, OTC:LINIF) has launched Project Early Learning at Kangankunde Primary School in Malawi, marking an early-stage community investment tied to the development of its flagship Kangankunde Rare Earths Project.
The government and community-based initiative is aimed at improving access to safe, inclusive early education while ensuring tangible local benefits flow from the project well ahead of construction and production. Around 400 learners currently enrolled at Kangankunde Primary School are expected to benefit directly.
The program was formally launched during a School Open Day on January 23, 2026, attended by senior government officials, community leaders and Lindian executives.
“Lindian has been working alongside the Kangankunde community for some time, and Project Early Learning is a natural extension of that relationship. Through our ongoing engagement, education has consistently been raised as a priority, and the leadership of the Minister for Education, Science & Technology, Hon. Bright Msaka SC, has been instrumental in turning that shared priority into meaningful action," Lindian executive chairman Robert Martin said.
"Our community engagement plan helps guide where support is most needed and ensures resources are directed to areas that will make a real difference. In this case, that meant focusing on early education and practical improvements that support both students and teachers, in close alignment with the Ministry of Education’s objectives and the needs of the local community. Kangankunde is not only important for the local community, but for Malawi as a whole. The project is already creating jobs, supporting local contractors and building skills, with those benefits only expected to grow as development continues. Just as importantly, it demonstrates Malawi’s ability to host large-scale, responsible mining projects, helping position the country as a positive and investable mining jurisdiction.
"This initiative has been developed in partnership with the Government of Malawi, under the guidance of Hon. Bright Msaka SC and the Ministry of Education, and in close collaboration with the local community. It reflects our long-term commitment to Kangankunde, and as the project continues to develop, we will keep working closely with government and community leaders to ensure the benefits are shared over the long term.”
School Open Day draws government and community leaders
The launch event was attended by Lindian executive chairman Robert Martin and executive director Zac Komur, alongside Malawi’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Bright Msaka SC, and Deputy Minister Hon. Francis Folley.
Also present were national and district government representatives, Balaka District Council leadership, education authorities, traditional leaders led by Senior Chief Chanthunya, school staff, students and community stakeholders. National and regional media attended, with more than 600 people present overall.
The Honourable Bright Msaka SC, Minister of Education, Science and Technology, together with Lindian Executive Chairman Robert Martin and Executive Director Zac Komur, watching children from Kangankunde Primary School perform at the Project Early Learning launch.
The ceremony included a formal groundbreaking led by Martin and the Minister of Education, followed by speeches from government officials. Cultural performances by local dance groups were held before guests engaged directly with community members and Lindian representatives.
Scope includes new classrooms, sanitation and learning materials
Under Project Early Learning, Lindian will rebuild and upgrade school infrastructure, including the construction of new classroom blocks featuring improved ventilation and chalkboards.
Additional works include an administration office, gender-segregated toilet blocks with septic systems and hand-wash stations, water and sanitation upgrades, paved walkways to improve accessibility and safety, and new sports fields for students.
Beyond infrastructure, Lindian will provide uniforms, shoes, books and stationery to every learner at the school, aimed at removing barriers to participation and improving attendance and learning outcomes.
Delivery model prioritises local participation
Program delivery will be coordinated in partnership with government and community representatives, with local contractors and suppliers engaged where possible.
Lindian will underwrite the program while working alongside its major service providers, which are contributing labour, construction services, materials, transport, furniture and equipment.
The company has also committed to ongoing maintenance of the facilities and the replenishment of essential learning materials, positioning the initiative as a long-term investment rather than a one-off contribution.
Education investment aligned with long-life project outlook
Kangankunde is viewed as a multi-generational rare earths development, and Lindian says its objective is to ensure benefits extend beyond the mine site and are shared more broadly with the Malawian community.
The company expects that children currently enrolled at Kangankunde Primary School will, over time, have access to greater opportunities, including potential employment pathways linked to the mine and to local businesses supported by the project.
The Honourable Bright Msaka SC, Minister of Education addressing the children of Kangankunde Primary School at the Project Early Learning launch.
To support this longer-term objective, Lindian plans to roll out career awareness initiatives, teacher development programs and improved access to basic STEM resources as the project progresses.
“This is the kind of investment that a company that is serious minded and is thinking of corporate social responsibility should do. This is a very good example of what needs to be done. This is the investment in the community that we expect. I want to say thank you very much to Lindian for this quality school that they have given us,” Minister of Education, Science and Technology Hon. Bright Msaka SC said.
Supporting Malawi’s position as a responsible mining jurisdiction
Lindian said Project Early Learning forms part of its broader community engagement strategy and is aligned with government development priorities.
By investing early in education and local infrastructure, the company is strengthening relationships with government and community stakeholders while supporting sustainable development outcomes.
The initiative is also intended to demonstrate that Malawi can host large-scale, responsible mining projects, helping position the country as a credible and investable mining jurisdiction.
As the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project advances toward construction and production, Lindian said it views strong community partnerships and social investment as critical to maintaining its social licence to operate and delivering long-term value for all stakeholders.