# Critical mineral resource acquisition and development > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/critical-mineral-resource-acquisition-and-development > Updated: 2026-09-24T00:22:13.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2. Mining and exploration companies have taken strategic steps to secure critical mineral assets across various regions. Lindian Resources Limited secured exclusive access to feedstock from the Kangankunde Rare Earth Project in Malawi to support its processing facility in Kazakhstan, while Australasian Metals sought to acquire lithium-tantalum and lithium projects in Côte d’Ivoire. Lindian Resources has since advanced its operations at the Kangankunde project in Malawi, targeting first production in the fourth quarter of 2026. The company has stockpiled 125,000 tonnes of ore and entered a technology and engineering services agreement with the French firm Carester. This partnership aims to develop an oxide separation facility to produce magnet-quality rare earth oxides and carbonates. The agreement includes a 20-year off-take deal providing Carester with priority access to mixed heavy rare earths. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-24: Lindian Resources advances rare earth production in Malawi Lindian Resources is nearing production at its Kangankunde rare earths project in Malawi, having signed a deal with France’s Carester to develop high-value oxide separation capabilities. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lindian-resources-advances-rare-earth-production-in-malawi ### 2026-09-07: Lindian Resources and Australasian Metals secure critical mineral assets Mining firms Lindian Resources and Australasian Metals have secured strategic access to rare earth and lithium resources in Malawi and Côte d’Ivoire to bolster critical mineral supply chains. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australasian-metals-and-lindian-resources-expand-mineral-resource-access --- Cite as: Critical mineral resource acquisition and development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/critical-mineral-resource-acquisition-and-development