Lindian rare earths green-lit for export by Malawian government

Lindian Resources has received a green light from Malawi’s government, confirming its Kangankunde rare earths are exempt from an executive order banning raw mineral exports as it will process the ore locally to produce monazite concentrate.

The clarification arrives just a day after Lindian’s proactive reassurance to investors, quelling market jitters that had briefly dented the company’s share price.

Issued on October 23, the Malawian Government’s Presidential Executive Order No. 2 of 2025 aims to boost local value adding and downstream processing by prohibiting the export of unprocessed minerals - a move Lindian views as a positive step for Malawi’s economic diversification.

However, the order explicitly exempts materials that undergo processing or beneficiation within the country.

In a letter of clarification from the Director General of the Mines and Minerals Regulatory Authority (MMRA), dated October 28, the government recognises that Lindian’s subsidiary, Rift Valley Resources Developments Limited, will beneficiate its raw rare earths ore into a high-grade monazite concentrate at site before any export to external markets.

The company says the official clarification provides regulatory certainty as it advances Kangankunde towards first production next year and transitions it into a globally significant rare earths producer.

The news caps a turbulent 48 hours for Lindian shares. On October 23, reports of the executive order sparked investor caution, sending the stock down from A$0.385 to A$0.285 on October 27 amid broader concerns over potential export hurdles in Africa’s mineral-rich nations.

Lindian swiftly countered on October 27 with an announcement emphasising its in-country beneficiation strategy - the highest locally-feasible level - and its track record of regulatory compliance.

Yet, uncertainty lingered until today’s MMRA letter, which has ignited a swift rebound. By midday trading, shares had climbed 13% to A$0.322, recouping a good chunk of the lost ground and reflecting renewed confidence in the project’s trajectory.

Kangankunde remains the jewel in Lindian’s crown, a world-class deposit poised to produce premium monazite concentrate at 55% total rare earth oxides (TREO) grade, free of deleterious elements.

It boasts more than one off-the-scale drill results of around a thousand metres averaging well north of two per cent total rare earth oxides.

With operating costs in the global lowest quartile, even at subdued spot prices for key elements like neodymium and praseodymium, the project stands out as financially robust.

Strong infrastructure access, robust community backing, and essential licences are all in place, bolstered by a long-term offtake partnership with Australian giant Iluka Resources and a A$91.5 million institutional placement that greenlit the Final Investment Decision for Stage 1.

Recent milestones underscore the momentum. Just weeks ago, on October 8, Lindian announced the on-time, on-budget completion of early works by contractor Mota-Engil.

This includes a 5.5km access road, a secure gatehouse, commissioned ablution facilities, cleared administration zones and a fully equipped contractors’ laydown area with solar power and septic systems.

Power to the security building is also operational, paving the way for main construction. In parallel, the company has procured a state-of-the-art owner-operator mining fleet - Komatsu haul trucks, loaders, dozers, and a Sandvik drill rig - set for full mobilisation in January 2026.

Looking ahead, Lindian is also mobilising non-process infrastructure contractors and advancing tailings storage facility earthworks while finalising process plant design-and-construct tenders.

Optimised mine planning continues apace, keeping the project firmly on track for 2026 output.

Beyond Malawi, Lindian’s portfolio spans bauxite assets in Guinea and Tanzania, diversifying its critical minerals footprint.

Kangankunde’s rare earths focus positions it at the vanguard of global supply chain security, particularly as demand surges for electric vehicles, renewables energy and defence technologies.

With regulatory hurdles cleared, export doubts assuaged and construction revving up, Lindian remains set to unleash Kangankunde’s massive potential to power the global electrification and green revolution imperative.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@wanews.com.au