By Mike Kamande:
Lindian Resources Limited, miner at the Kangankundi Rare Earth Mine at Senzani in Balaka, has touted the site as one of the most unique rare earth mines in the world
Lindian Resources Limited Chief Executive Officer Alistair Stephens said the mine has no radioactivity going on.
He was speaking when the Balaka District Council supervision team toured the site.
“Most rare earth mines, like uranium mines, have some radioactivity going on but this is one of the most unique mines. It also has high quality and high purity minerals such as monazite, which will be sold widely across the globe as a premium product,” he said.
He said the company spent about $5million on drilling exercises.
However, the first phase will require $25 million and has employed nearly 70 people, most of whom are from within the community.
Balaka District Council Chief Planning Officer Edgar Chihana said he was impressed with prospects for the mine.
“We have hosted several investors in the mining industry who have not been honest enough and have not developed any mining site. We are happy that Lindian Resources is making progress on developing the Kangankundi rare earth mine.
“We are particularly happy because local people are benefitting through employment, corporate social responsibility tasks such as tree planting and distribution of Chlorine to avert cholera,” Chihana said.
Chihana said the mine will boost the economy of the district as well as the country when fully fledged since drilling results show that there are huge quantities of monazite to last over 100 years.
Balaka Civil Society Organisations Network Chairperson John Bamusi welcomed the development.— Mana