Lindian signs term sheet for majority control of Kazakhstan rare-earths processing plant
The Map Moved · Friday, 11 September 2026
Why it matters
The signed commitment would give a Malawi-linked rare-earth project access to downstream processing in Kazakhstan, shifting Lindian from concentrate production toward control of a higher-value processing step. It also creates a non-Chinese route for converting the planned 12,500 tonnes per year of Malawian concentrate into mixed rare-earth carbonate, though the plant’s transfer and production remain prospective rather than completed.
What happened
Lindian Resources signed a binding term sheet to acquire 51 per cent of the SARECO mixed rare-earth carbonate plant in Kazakhstan through a joint venture with local RA Group for US$15 million. The facility is fully constructed, and Lindian plans to process up to 12,500 tonnes a year of monazite concentrate from its planned Malawi operation into mixed rare-earth carbonate from the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to completing the transaction and reaching commercial production. Lindian would pay US$3 million upfront and US$12 million after commercial production, rather than fund a new plant whose construction could cost more than A$500 million.
Previously
2025 — The United States and Kazakhstan established formal critical-minerals cooperation under a memorandum of understanding intended to diversify rare-earth supply chains.(The West Australian)
Players & places
- Kazakhstan
- Malawi
- Lindian Resources
- RA Group
- SARECO