Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN, OTC:LINIF) has completed a major technical validation milestone for its Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi, with independent testwork confirming 98% neodymium-praseodymium extraction and production of a non-radioactive mixed rare earth carbonate.
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) validated the complete downstream flowsheet from Kangankunde monazite concentrate through to specification mixed rare earth carbonate, or MREC.
The largest acid-bake test achieved 98% NdPr extraction and 96% total rare earth and yttrium extraction, improving on earlier optimisation results as the process was scaled up. Overall NdPr recovery from concentrate through to final MREC reached about 96%.
Earlier this month, Lindian completed the first production blast at its Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi, marking the start of active mining and a major step in its transition from developer to rare earth producer.
Non-radioactive pathway confirmed
ANSTO certified the final MREC as exempt from radioactive transport and handling requirements under applicable International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
Uranium, thorium and associated decay-chain radionuclides were below analytical detection limits, including actinium-227, which is closely monitored by rare earth processors and regulators.
The result establishes an independently verified non-radioactive pathway covering both Kangankunde concentrate and the final MREC product, allowing the materials to be transported and handled using conventional logistics rather than specialised Class 7 radioactive procedures.
The certification could reduce regulatory complexity and broaden access to separation plants and magnet manufacturers seeking low-radionuclide feedstocks.
Kangankunde MREC flowsheet validated by ANSTO, showing stage performance, reagent recycle streams and the potential fertiliser by-product credit. The conventional sulphuric acid circuit is in place at the SARECO facility.
Larger-scale test strengthens commercial case
The final bulk test produced a pregnant leach solution containing 21.1 grams per litre of total rare earths and yttrium, the highest tenor achieved during the ANSTO program.
Higher solution concentrations can reduce the size of tanks, pumps and filtration equipment while lowering water and reagent requirements and increasing effective plant throughput.
The purification circuit removed almost all phosphorus and iron while reducing thorium below detection limits. Total NdPr losses across the two impurity-removal stages were limited to about 1%, before carbonate precipitation recovered more than 99.9% of the remaining rare earths.
ANSTO also determined that a dedicated uranium-removal circuit would not be required, potentially simplifying the flowsheet and reducing capital and operating costs.
SARECO implementation derisked
The validated process uses a conventional sulphuric acid bake, water leach, impurity removal and carbonate precipitation circuit that is directly compatible with the SARECO processing facility in Kazakhstan.
Lindian plans to implement the flowsheet at SARECO, where Kangankunde concentrate has previously been converted into specification MREC. The facility also has an established sulphuric acid supply arrangement.
“These outcomes materially reduce technical and execution risk by confirming the process at scale, demonstrating repeatability across multiple concentrate feeds and validating the engineering basis for commercial MREC production,” executive director Zac Komur said.
About Kangankunde
Kangankunde is the cornerstone of Lindian’s portfolio and is expected to produce a premium monazite concentrate grading about 55% total rare earth oxides.
The company is fully funded for Stage 1 development, with construction advancing and first production targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026. Lindian is also progressing a Stage 2 definitive feasibility study aimed at expanding production capacity.
What’s ahead
With ANSTO’s downstream metallurgical program complete, Lindian will shift its focus to recommissioning and optimising the SARECO facility.
Further engineering, commissioning and operational optimisation work will support the planned transition from pilot validation to integrated commercial production of Kangankunde concentrate and higher-value MREC.