Mining & Trade News

Lindian launches Project Early Learning at Kangankunde School

Kangankunde Primary School in rural Balaka District is fast transforming into a modern primary school with new decent infrastructure all thanks to ASX-listed Lindian Resources, which is is rebuilding the existing school infrastructure including new classroom blocks with improved ventilation and chalkboards. Additional works will include an administrative office, gender segregated toilet blocks with septic systems and hand-wash stations, water and sanitation improvements, and simple paved walkways to enhance safety and accessibility, and sports fields for children. In parallel, Lindian will provide every learner attending Kangankunde Primary School  with uniforms, shoes, books, and stationery; supporting full participation in early learning with dignity and confidence.

ASX-listed Lindian Resources, which is preparing to kickstart rare earth mining at Kangankunde in Balaka, has launched the Project Early Learning at Kangankunde Primary School, a government and community-based initiative designed to support access to safe, inclusive and supportive early education and ensure the benefits of the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project are shared with the local community from the earliest stage of the project.

The project was officially launched at the school by Malawi’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology Honourable Bright Msaka who was accompanied by Lindian’s Executive Chairman Mr Robert Martin and Executive Director Mr Zac Komur.

The colourful ceremony which also marked Malawi’s commemoration of World Education Day attracted government officials, traditional leaders and members of the local community.

Speaking at the ceremony, Msaka hailed Lindian for the project that is changing the face of Kangankunde Primary School through the construction of various infrastructure including new school blocks, staff offices, a fence and a netball court.

Msaka said: “This is the kind of investment that a company which is serious minded and is thinking of corporate social responsibility should do. This is the investment in the community that we expect. I want to say thank you very much to Lindian for the quality school that they have given us.”  

He asked the local community to maintain cordial relations with Lindian to ensure that the Company is able to start production and generating mineral sales revenue in order to be able to commit more funds to community development projects.

Mr Martin said Lindian has been working with the Kangankunde community for some time, and Project Early Learning is a natural extension of that relationship.

He said through the company’s ongoing community engagement, education has consistently been raised as a priority and the leadership of Honourable Msaka has been instrumental in turning that shared priority into meaningful action.

Mr Martin said: “Our community engagement plan helps guide where support is most needed and ensures resources are directed to areas that will make a real difference. In this case, that meant focusing on early education and practical improvements that support both students and teachers, in close alignment with the Ministry of Education’s objectives and the needs of the local community.”

“Kangankunde is not only important for the local community but for Malawi as a whole. The project is already creating jobs, supporting local contractors and building skills, with these benefits only expected to grow as development continues. It also demonstrates Malawi’s ability to host large scale, responsible mining projects, helping positioning the country as positive and investable mining jurisdiction.”

“This initiative has been developed in partnership with the government of Malawi under the guidance of Honourable Msaka SC and the Ministry of Education in close collaboration with the local community. It reflects our long-term commitment to Kangankunde, and as the project continues to develop, we will keep working closely with government and community leaders to ensure the benefits are shared over the long term.”

He said initiatives such as Project Early Learning form an important part of the Company’s broader approach to community engagement and responsible project development at Kangankunde.

“Strong alignment with government priorities and ongoing collaboration with local communities underpin Lindian’s social licence to operate and support the timely and efficient delivery of the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project as it advances through construction and towards production,” he said.

Project Scope and Delivery

Under the programme, Lindian is rebuilding the existing school infrastructure including new classroom blocks with improved ventilation and chalkboards. Additional works will include an administrative office, gender segregated toilet blocks with septic systems and hand-wash stations, water and sanitation improvements, and simple paved walkways to enhance safety and accessibility, and sports fields for children. In parallel, every learner attending Kangankunde Primary School will be provided with uniforms, shoes, books, and stationery; supporting full participation in early learning with dignity and confidence.

Delivery will be coordinated in partnership with government and community representatives, with local contractors and suppliers engaged where ever possible. Lindian will underwrite the programme and work alongside its major service providers, who are contributing labour, construction services, materials, transport, furniture and equipment The Company will also maintain the facilities and replenish essential learning materials on an ongoing basis to ensure long term benefits.

 Kangankunde is a multi-generational rare earth development, and Lindian’s commitment is to ensure that the benefits of the project extend well beyond the mine site and are shared with Malawi as a country. Therefore, the Company’s objective is that the children learning at Kangankunde today will have greater opportunities in the future, including pathways into employment at the mine and within the local businesses and industries supported by the project.

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