The rare metals anxiety

There is a new battle raging over rare metals. Apparently China produces 95 percent of these metals. Recently China decided to ban export of these metalsThis has stimulated interest in alternative sources of such minerals. An article headlined “Interest in rare earths stimulated by concerns over possible Chinese export curbs” READ MORE..  mentions Malawi as one of the major sources of such metals.


Some years ago Lynas Corporation Ltd acquired rare earths deposit (Kangankunde Carbonatite Complex) located in Balaka. It made some investments but its activities came to a standstill because of legal problems READ MORE. . Now it turns out that China wants to buy Lynas International so as to further corner the rare metals market. The Western countries are not amused. And this is how small countries can easily be pawns in big powers’ games. For Malawi, the point is that we must think strategically if we are not to be simple pawns.