Africa could see a new source of rare earths supply as early as late 2026, with Malawi’s Kangankunde project on track to begin production, in a development that underscores growing efforts to diversify global critical minerals supply chains away from China.
Australian miner Lindian Resources said Thursday that its Kangankunde rare earths project in southern Malawi remains on schedule to start operations in the fourth quarter of 2026, potentially making it Africa’s first new large-scale rare earths mine since 2017.
The project, located in Malawi, is expected to produce around 20,000 metric tons of rare earths concentrate annually once fully ramped up, with initial output estimated at about 10,000 tons.
If timelines are met, Kangankunde would mark a significant milestone for Africa’s emerging critical minerals industry and add a new non-Chinese source of supply in a sector increasingly shaped by geopolitical competition.
Rare earths are a group of 17 elements used in permanent magnets found in electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, smartphones and advanced defence systems. China currently dominates global mining, refining and processing capacity, giving it significant influence over supply chains.
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In recent years, Beijing has tightened export controls on several critical minerals, prompting Western governments and manufacturers to accelerate efforts to secure alternative sources.
Against that backdrop, Africa is being viewed as a key frontier for diversification, with several projects under development across the continent.
Industry analysts estimate that Africa could significantly increase its share of global rare earths production over the coming decade if planned projects reach commercial operation. Some forecasts suggest the continent could account for nearly 9% of global supply by the end of the decade.
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The Kangankunde project is widely seen as part of that pipeline. It follows Burundi’s Gakara mine, which was Africa’s first industrial-scale rare earths operation when it began production in 2017 but has been inactive since 2021 after government intervention halted operations.
The renewed focus on African supply comes as Western economies seek to reduce reliance on concentrated supply chains. The United States and the European Union have both identified rare earths as strategically critical for energy transition technologies and defence manufacturing.
Several African projects are already attracting international financing support. These include developments in Angola, Malawi and South Africa, some of which have been designated as strategic projects by European institutions or supported by US development finance mechanisms.
In Angola, the Longonjo rare earths project is expected to begin production next year with backing from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. In Malawi, other projects such as Songwe Hill are also under development, while South Africa’s Zandkopsdrift project has been identified as strategically important by European policymakers.
Despite strong interest, financing remains one of the main challenges facing rare earths developments across the continent. Projects require significant upfront capital, long development timelines and complex processing infrastructure, particularly for refining materials to battery and magnet-grade standards.
Analysts say that while Africa holds substantial mineral reserves, the region still lacks large-scale processing capacity, meaning much of the value chain remains concentrated in Asia.
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For Malawi, the Kangankunde project represents one of the country’s most significant potential mining developments in years, with expectations that it could contribute to export earnings, job creation and broader industrial activity if it reaches full production.
However, industry observers caution that timelines for mining projects in critical minerals often shift due to technical, financial or regulatory delays, particularly in emerging markets.
Still, the latest update signals continued momentum in Africa’s rare earths sector, which is increasingly being shaped by global competition for materials essential to clean energy technologies, digital infrastructure and defence systems.
If successful, Kangankunde could mark a turning point for Africa’s role in global rare earths supply, positioning the continent as a more significant player in one of the world’s most strategically sensitive resource markets.
