Who to refine the extracted resources? Key minerals in Africa: Multiple African countries accelerate rare earth projects to meet global demand
¬ Several African rare earth projects are gradually approaching production
¬ Malawi and Angola are expected to become significant new suppliers of rare earths in the coming years
¬ Western nations seek alternative sources of rare earths outside China, as China still dominates the rare earth market
As new mining projects advance across the African continent, Africa's rare earth industry continues to grow rapidly.
On May 27, Australian company Sovereign Metals confirmed the discovery of high-grade heavy rare earths at its Kasiya graphite and rutile project in Malawi. This finding strengthens the company’s future plans to expand rare earth production at the mine. It also underscores Africa’s increasingly important role in the rare earth market, which is crucial for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and advanced technologies.
Earlier this year, Sovereign Metals discovered monazite—a mineral containing rare earth elements—at the Kasiya site. Latest research confirms the presence of dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium in the deposit. According to the company, the grade of these rare earths is approximately seven times higher than that of the world’s top five producers.
Sovereign says these rare earths may originate from mining waste generated by planned graphite and rutile extraction operations. This would reduce additional investment requirements and allow rare earths to be produced as a by-product of the mine.
Africa poised to resume production
Since the closure of Burundi’s Gakara mine in 2021, Africa has had no rare earth production. That situation may soon change. Lindian Resources plans to launch its Kangankunde project in Malawi by the fourth quarter of 2026.
In Angola, the Longonjo project is under construction and expected to come online in 2027. Other projects are also progressing steadily, including Malawi’s Songwe Hill project, South Africa’s Phalaborwa project, and Tanzania’s Ngualla project. The industry’s growth coincides with rising global demand for rare earths.
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence estimated in 2024 that, based on currently developing projects, Africa’s rare earth supply could account for about 9% of the global market by 2029. Given China’s continued dominance in global supply, the strategic importance of the rare earth market is growing ever more apparent.
According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), by 2024, China accounted for about 60% of global rare earth mining output and nearly 91% of refining capacity. This dominant position has prompted Western nations to seek alternative suppliers. As part of broader efforts to diversify critical mineral supply chains, the United States has supported projects such as Longonjo and Phalaborwa.
Challenges remain
Despite growing interest in African projects, they still face numerous significant obstacles.
Mining companies must secure financing, ensure projects proceed according to schedule, and demonstrate long-term operational profitability. Sovereign Metals plans to conduct an economic study to assess the feasibility of integrating rare earth production into its existing Kasiya mine development plan.
Source: ecofinagency
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866432932842572/
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