Malawi Kanyika Nb mine development granted extension

Australia-based Globe Metals and Mining has been granted an additional year to begin mining at its Kanyika niobium project in central Malawi.

The extension to 27 September 2025 was requested because of delays in finalising a mine development agreement with the government.

Kanyika, which will be Africa's first niobium mine, will produce niobium and tantalum oxides for export to western markets, Globe said. The mine will be developed in two phases, with phase 1 scheduled for the start of 2026 and phase 2 for third-quarter 2028.

The mine is expected to produce around 3,250 t/yr of niobium and 140 t/yr of tantalum over a 25-year lifespan, which could potentially be extended.

Niobium is critical to military, aerospace, space and medical industries, and is becoming increasingly important in quantum electronics, in the manufacture of semiconductors and in the electric vehicle sector, Globe said.

By Roxana Lazar