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Critical mineral resource acquisition and development

4 recorded revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-26 01:34 UTC → 2026-11-10 02:57 UTC · added removed

Mining and exploration companies have taken strategic steps to secure critical mineral assets. 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 approximately 149,000 tonnes of ore, a 19% increase since September 2026. By late October 2026, Lindian reported that active mining had commenced, with an initial production blast establishing approximately 125,000 tonnes of ore ahead of schedule. Construction of the Stage 1 process plant is reportedly operating 24 hours a day to prepare for commissioning. To support its vertical integration, Lindian secured 100% ownership of the SARECO Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate (MREC) Processing Facility in Kazakhstan. Additionally, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) validated the Kangankunde flowsheet, achieving 98% NdPr extraction and certifying the final product as non-radioactive. Lindian entered a technology and engineering services agreement with the French firm Carester to develop an oxide separation facility, which includes a 20-year off-take deal providing Carester with priority access to mixed heavy rare earths. As of late September 2026, the project maintains its ability to export beneficiated monazite concentrate, as the Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority (MMRA) recognized the process as “domestic value addition,” exempting it from Presidential Executive Order No. 2 of 2025. By mid-October In November 2026, Lindian’s Singaporean subsidiary, Lindian updated its production target for Global Rare Earths, signed a binding offtake term sheet with a major rare earths refining group. This agreement covers monazite concentrate to December 2026. Construction progress includes from the installation of a regrind mill, completion of approximately 90% of structural steel in magnetic separation areas, Kangankunde project, providing 10,000 dry metric tonnes per annum for Stage 1 and the commissioning of a 33kV overhead line, 20,000 dry metric tonnes per annum for Stage 2. This follows previous agreements with site energisation Iluka Resources and Carester, bringing the total secured volume for Stage 2 expansion to 45,000 dry metric tonnes. First sea freight deliveries from Nacala Port are expected to begin in early November 2026. January 2027.

Versions

  1. 2026-11-10 02:57 UTC Critical mineral resource acquisition and development
  2. 2026-10-26 01:34 UTC Critical mineral resource acquisition and development
  3. 2026-10-16 02:58 UTC Critical mineral resource acquisition and development
  4. 2026-09-30 05:53 UTC Critical mineral resource acquisition and development
  5. 2026-09-24 03:02 UTC Critical mineral resource acquisition and development

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