• Lindian Resources holds talks with US officials on Kangankunde supply potential

• Move follows US funding for Malawi’s Songwe Hill rare earths project

• Washington seeks alternatives to China-dominated rare earth supply chains

In Malawi, Lindian Resources is holding discussions with representatives of the United States government on the potential role of its Kangankunde rare earths project in helping reduce US supply deficits. The announcement, made on December 15, comes a few months after a US grant was awarded to the Songwe Hill project, highlighting Washington’s growing interest in Malawi’s rare earths sector.

In September, the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) awarded $4.6 million to Mkango Resources to support development of the Songwe Hill project. While no funding has yet been announced for Kangankunde, Lindian Resources said it recently hosted senior US government officials at the project site, including Nicholas Checker, deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs. The visit aimed to advance discussions held in recent weeks on a potential partnership.

According to the statement, constructive discussions took place on Kangankunde’s potential role in addressing emerging supply gaps, particularly for processing value chains aligned with demand centers in the United States and allied countries. Lindian noted that the scale of the Kangankunde deposit, its high-grade mineralization, and its low radioactivity meet key criteria under several international critical minerals supply initiatives.

In recent months, the United States has stepped up efforts to diversify its critical minerals supply chains in order to reduce reliance on China’s dominant position. This push intensified in 2025 following restrictions imposed by Beijing on rare earth exports, amid ongoing trade tensions between the two powers. In an interview with the Financial Times in November, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent referred to a two-year plan aimed at developing alternative supply routes.

This context underpins US interest in Malawi, one of several African countries currently hosting multiple rare earths projects. The Kangankunde mine, which is expected to enter production by the end of 2026, is projected to produce up to 15,300 tons of rare earth concentrate per year during its first phase. Songwe Hill, for its part, is expected to produce 8,425 tons of rare earth carbonate annually over an 18-year mine life, according to a feasibility study published in 2022.

Despite their potential, US engagement with these projects remains at an early stage. As with Kangankunde, no offtake agreement has yet emerged from the DFC grant awarded to Songwe Hill. Lindian Resources said it intends to continue discussions as Kangankunde moves closer to production.

At the same time, Washington is also exploring rare earths opportunities in other African countries through loans and grants. These include Angola’s Longonjo project, developed by Pensana, and South Africa’s Phalaborwa project operated by Rainbow Rare Earths.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou