• Pensana appoints Karen Brown as COO for Angola rare earths project
• Longonjo mine to produce 20,000 tons MREC yearly, starting 2027
• Project seeks $160M financing, aims to diversify global rare earth supply

Pensana, a British company developing the Longonjo rare earths project in Angola, announced Tuesday, September 9, the appointment of Karen Brown as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Brown, a veteran of the rare earths industry, will replace Rocky Smith, who has held the position for five years. She will assume her new role on Wednesday, October 1, and will be responsible for implementing the company’s plans for what is set to become Angola's first rare earths mine.

Karen Brown, ex MD of Rare Earth specialist Neo, appointed as Chief Operating Officer.

A warm welcome to Karen from all of the team here at Pensana.

Read more: https://t.co/mUn2b4YoKe#criticalminerals #magnetmetals #mining #supplychain #energytransition #rareearths pic.twitter.com/jImpDq3CPk

— Pensana Plc (@PensanaRE) September 9, 2025

"Karen brings a unique skill set and a wealth of rare earth production and commercial experience to this stage of the Company’s development," Pensana said in a statement. "She spent 21 years as Managing Director at Neo Materials Chemicals & Oxides for Europe, part of the NeoPerformance materials that develops magnetic powders, rare earth magnets, magnetic assemblies, specialty chemicals, metals, and alloys for the rare earth sector."

The Longonjo project, estimated to cost $268 million, is expected to produce 20,000 tons of mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) per year. The concentrate is used in the manufacture of permanent magnets for electric vehicles. This production capacity is slated to double to 40,000 tons after a planned expansion phase. Pensana began construction on the mine in May and aims to start operations by early 2027.

In addition to strengthening its operational team, the company is working to secure the remaining financing for the project, including a $160 million loan from the African Finance Corporation (AFC) and the South African bank Absa. Once completed, Longonjo could provide a new alternative source of rare earths, a market currently dominated by China in both production and refining.

Another project, the Kangankunde mine operated by Lindian Resources in Malawi, is also part of this dynamic, with a planned start of operations in the first quarter of 2026.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou