Chinese nationals detained at Lindian Resources’ Kangankunde rare earths site in Malawi

Two Chinese nationals have been charged with criminal trespass following an unauthorised incursion at Lindian Resources Ltd’s flagship Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi – which is fast emerging as a key player in the global rare earths supply chain.

Last week the company started early-stage site works at Kangankunde, marking a major milestone in the advancement of one of the world’s largest undeveloped rare earths deposits.

The company has initiated civil and infrastructure development activities to support Stage 1 construction, forming part of its broader strategy to accelerate project delivery and mitigate execution risks.

These works follow the start of a 5 kilometre access road in February 2025, which is tracking well ahead of schedule and is now expected to be completed within the June quarter.

Read more: Lindian Resources begins early site works at Kangankunde rare earths project

Serious breach of security

The two Chinese nationals were accompanied by two local guides and were reportedly caught by Lindian’s on-site security team inside the boundaries of the company’s lease area. Security supervisor Remmie Maseketsa confirmed that the group had passed ‘no entry’ signage before being detained in a forested area well within the mining lease. 

The men – including an interpreter and a Malawian mining consultant – were handed over to local police, who charged the foreign nationals and confiscated their passports. They were released on bail and are due to appear in court.

“We would like to thank our head of security Remmie Maseketsa, his security team, the local police force and our operational staff for their diligence in maintaining a safe and secure mine site,” Lindian executive chairman Robert Martin said.

“The company takes site safety and security extremely seriously, especially with pre construction works well underway, to find foreign nationals on an active unmapped haul road allegedly taking geological samples is concerning specifically with the current geopolitical nature of the rare earths market. We will continue to work with the authorities to ensure that the Companies sovereignty and security are maintained to the highest standards.”

Lindian described the incident as a serious breach of site security and a concerning case of industrial trespass, particularly given the strategic value of Kangankunde – considered one of the world’s largest undeveloped high-grade rare earths resources, free of deleterious radioactive elements. The site is around 90 kilometres north of Blantyre, is fully permitted and expected to enter production in 2026. Stage one alone has an estimated 45-year mine life, with a projected US$40 million capital cost.

Tightening security

The company, which employs 14 full-time security personnel, has dealt with similar unauthorised access in the past and now plans to install boom gates and increase patrols across entry points.

Lindian said it is fully cooperating with Malawian authorities to ensure due process is followed and project integrity remains protected.