Lindian Resources has engaged Perth-based minerals processing specialists DRA Pacific to undertake its stage two expansion study for Lindian’s world-class Kangankunde project in Malawi.
The commission, under the direction of newly appointed executive director Zac Komur, marks a significant step in advancing the project’s strategic development and builds on the momentum of a recent $91.5 million institutional placement and stage one final investment decision.
DRA Pacific is known for delivering innovative and technically advanced solutions across all phases of project development and has a strong record in rare earths processing.
It has a long-standing relationship with Lynas Rare Earths at the Mt Weld operations in Western Australia, and has contributed to the Wyloo-Hastings Technology Metals Yangibana rare earths joint venture and produced a recent updated feasibility study for Mkango Resources’ Songwe Hill rare earths project in Malawi.
DRA’s expertise in mineral processing techniques, such as flotation, gravity separation and magnetic separation, and its robust project technical delivery across Africa, including Malawi, aligns closely with Lindian’s requirements for Kangankunde’s stage two development.
The Kangankunde expansion study should be completed in the next three months and will explore production rate options ranging between 50,000 and 100,000 tonnes per annum of concentrate, driven by significant offtake interest.
It will also evaluate flowsheet options - including a flotation circuit currently under metallurgical testing at Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation - modular development approaches and infrastructure requirements to identify any potential processing constraints.
Lindian intends to run stage two works concurrently with stage one construction to maximise efficiencies and ensure seamless development progression.
Lindian Resources executive director Zac Komur said: “Stage 1 is in delivery following our approval of the final investment decision with first production targeted in 2026. With approvals already in place for the stage 2 expansion, appointing DRA to complete the study gives us the detail to scale with confidence.”
Since his mid-September appointment as executive director, Komur has wasted no time in advancing Lindian’s ambitions for Kangankunde and steering it towards production readiness.
With more than 25 years of experience in global resources, including leadership roles at Fortescue, Northvolt, INPEX and BHP, Komur brings deep expertise in project delivery, mineral processing and strategic partnerships.
His focus on downstream rare earths partnerships and the recent capital raise underscore Lindian’s commitment to maximising shareholder value and positioning Kangankunde as a globally significant rare earths asset.
Kangankunde contains a total indicated and inferred 261 million tonnes at 2.14 per cent total rare earth oxides (TREO). The resource TREO includes 20.3 per cent neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) for a total contained 1.13 million tonnes of combined NdPr.
Current proven and probable ore reserves comprise 23.7Mt at 2.9 per cent TREO, including 19.7 per cent NdPr for about 135,400t of combined NdPr.
Lindian has forged a key strategic partnership for the Kangankunde project with global critical minerals company Iluka Resources, which includes a 15-year off-take agreement for Lindian's high-grade monazite concentrate. Iluka is providing a US$20 million (A$30.23 million) loan facility to help fund the project's development.
The agreement secures a long-term sales pathway for the Kangankunde concentrate, which will feed into Iluka's Eneabba refinery in WA’s Mid West region, for which Iluka has agreed to purchase 6000t per year of rare earth monazite concentrate from Kangankunde for 15 years, to a total 90,000t.
The partnership provides critical financial support and a secure pathway to long-term revenue for the Kangankunde project.
Coupled with its strategic partnership with Iluka, Lindian looks well-situated to deliver a world-class rare earths operation, perfectly timed to capitalise on growing global demand.
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By Doug Bright
