Malawi Police Service and Kangankunde Rare Earths miner Lindian Resources have given contradictory versions on the status of two Chinese allegedly found on the protected side of the mine in Balaka District.
While Lindian Resources’ country manager Trevor Hiwa insisted that the duo was arrested, Balaka Police Station spokesperson Gladson M’bumpha said police established that the two were travelling from Blantyre to Lilongwe and branched off to the site to appreciate the ongoing works.
Said M’bumpha: “We have not arrested them and we do not have them in custody. We only took them for questioning and we did not lock them up.
“Some community members wanted to attack them on suspicion that they are illegal miners.”
But Hiwa, in an interview on Sunday, said the two, whose names have not been disclosed, were detained and are expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
He alleged that they were in possession of geological equipment.
Hiwa claimed that the incident was not the first of its kind, adding that Chinese have been caught on the mine site before and handed over to police but were later released.
He said: “Our thinking is that what the Chinese are trying to do is to investigate. If indeed they confirm, they take charge of it [Kangankunde] so that the Western world continues to be denied of rare earth.
“Those of us in the industry know what is going on. It should not be downplayed as the police are doing. First they came in October, then January and this is the third time.”
In a statement dated April 19 2025 and signed by Lindian Resources executive chairman Robert Martin, the company described the incident as a “serious breach of site security and a concerning act of industrial trespass”.
Reads the statement in part: “The individuals were allegedly collecting geological samples without authorisation. Lindian security handed them to the local police.”
Wh en o p e r a t i o n a l , Kangankunde Mine is projected to generate $114 million (about K200 billion) per year over a 40-year period, according to a feasibility study report the company released in 2024.
The company also said Kangankunde is estimated to have a mine life exceeding 200 years and is recognised as the largest and highest-grade undeveloped rare earths project outside China.
It further indicated that the mine has high-grade mineralisation but does not have radioactive elements, which according to Lindian Resources, is a rare combination in the global rare earths sector.
In Januar y this year, negotiations for a mining deal of Kangankunde Rare Earths project started between the government and Lindian Resources with experts tipping authorities to bargain for the best.
