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Malawians deserve adequate benefits from Kangankunde Rare Earth M
July 21, 2026 / Marcel Chimwala
We appreciate the response by Lindian Resources and its partner Rift Valley Resource Developments to our opinion article on Kangankunde Rare Earth Mining project published on Mining & Social Issues column in mid April 2026 Edition. It is indeed important for Lindian to explain the topical issues raised in the article as Malawians are interested to get updates on Kangankunde, expected to be the first rare earth mine in Malawi, with the country rich in these globally important elements.
As Lindian quarries in its response, indeed no government nor Lindian official is quoted in the article. But we feel there is nothing wrong here because this is basically an opinion article published in an opinion column where members of the community including guest columnists discuss issue of public interest concerning the minerals sector.
What is important is that Lindian has confirmed the issues raised in the article namely its use of a medium scale mining licence, giving allowances to government officials and purchasing a refinery for Kangankunde rare earths in Kazakhstan.
Though we are aware of the provision for freedoms of the press, opinion and expression in the Republican constitution, we understand that we are merely scribes hence do not have the expertise to contend with Lindian lawyers led by Dr Kaphale. We will, therefore, not risk arguing on the legal issues raised by the learned lawyers in their scrutiny of the said article.
However, we hail Lindian Resources for justifying the utilisation of the medium scale mining licence to manage Malawi’s globally-significant resource and purchasing a refinery to process Kangankunde concentrate in Kazakhstan other than setting up a refinery in Malawi understanding the higher costs of a large-scale mining investment compared to medium scale and the setting up of a local refinery compared to utilisation of an already developed facility in Kazakhstan.
These cost saving measures are crucial to generate the returns for investment including interest from Kangankunde for investors in Lindian who are mainly from Australia and the West.
We understand that these investors are eagerly waiting for returns from Kangankunde as some of them have invested their life time savings including pension funds and terminal benefits from employers.
But it must also be noted that there are Malawians in Kangankunde and surrounding villages failing to make ends meet. Malawians at large also have great expectations on the project with the country struggling with shortage of foreign exchange.
It is, therefore, important for Lindian to balance its priorities and ensure that Malawi is also enjoying adequate benefits from Kangankunde,. Otherwise, we wish you all the best as you open the mine this year!
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Rehabilitation:
The establishment of a stable and self-sustaining ecosystem, but not necessarily the one that existed before mining began. In many cases, complete restoration may be impossible, but successful remediation, reclamation, and rehabilitation can result in the timely establishment of a functional ecosystem.
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Remediation:
The cleanup of the contaminated area to safe levels by removing or isolating contaminants. At mine sites, remediation often consists of isolating contaminated material in pre-existing tailings storage facilities, capping tailings and waste rock stockpiles with clean topsoil, and collecting and treating any contaminated mine water if necessary.
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