You are currently viewing Malawi: Mining Company Mkango Resources Given Approval to Explore Songwe Hill Rare Earths Project in Phalombe

Malawi: Mining Company Mkango Resources Given Approval to Explore Songwe Hill Rare Earths Project in Phalombe


Malawi Environmental Protection Agency (MEPA) has approved an environmental social health impact assessment (ESHIA) for Mkango Resources Limited’s flagship Songwe Hill rare earths project in Phalombe District.

Reporting from London, globenewswire.com says the ESHIA approval is a significant milestone in the Mining Development Agreement (MDA) process as it is a fundamental requirement for the company to be granted a mining licence.

The report says once granted the mining licence, the project is expected to unlock significant stakeholder value and future investment for the development of Sub-Saharan Africa’s first large scale, commercial rare earth mining and processing operation in Malawi.

Mkango Resources’ president, Alexander Lemon is quoted as saying the approval “is a major achievement for Mkango and Malawi’s first rare earth mining project”, while thanking the Malawi government for its ongoing cooperation and support.

Lemon also applauded MEPA for its “advice and support during the ESHIA engagement, review and approval process” and looks forward to the approval of the the MDA and mining licence in the coming weeks.

“The Malawi Ministry of Justice has appointed a London-based international law firm with mining expertise to carry out a final review of the Mining Development Agreement and we are hoping to shortly conclude an agreement that is a win-win for both the nation of Malawi and all of Mkango’s stakeholders,” Lemon is quoted as saying.

The report further says the ESHIA was undertaken by Digby Wells Environmental Limited in compliance with the latest International Finance Corporation (IFC) performance standards and the Malawi Environmental Management Act, No. 19 of 2017.