Globe Metals and Mining says construction of Kanyika Niobium Mine project in Mzimba District has started, marking a transition from feasibility phase into execution.
In an update posted on its website www.globemm.com, the Australia Stock Exchange-listed miner said early works started at the end January this year in alignment with its updated bankable feasibility study targeted for March 2026 and first oxide production in the first quarter of 2028.
Mining experts have since described the project’s progress as inspiring, saying mine construction is part of the evelopment phase, which marks the beginning of a mining cycle and assures stakeholders that actual mining will take place.
Reads part of the update: “Globe Metals and Mining is excited to announce that construction has officially begun at its Kanyika Niobium Project in Malawi.
“This marks an important transition for Globe from feasibility and permitting into active project execution.”
Globe Metals and Mining interim chief executive officer Charles Altshuler is quoted in the update as having said the commencement of early works is consistent with the company’s obligations under its mining development agreement and large-scale mining licence, which require it to demonstrate substantive on-ground development activity on the ground.
He said: “For Globe, this marks a clear transition from planning to execution. Kanyika is a fully permitted
and engineered project now entering the construction phase.
“The commencement of early works represents the culmination of years of technical research, permitting and community engagement, transforming into physical progress on site, including access infrastructure, earthworks and site establishment.”
In an interview on Monday, geoscience expert in minerals, mining and metals Ignatius Kamwanje described the progress as critical as it guarantees that mining will take place.
He said: “This stage represents the beginning of a mining cycle and it gives confidence to the company and financiers because it indicates that mining will actually take place.
“What is also more important, especially in our case is that this guarantees infrastructure development in the area which means economic activity, job creation and inflow of foreign exchange.”
The firm targets first production of niobium at Kanyika Mine in January 2028, the first phase of community relocation expected in May this year.
The project’s phase two is planned for April 2029 and is expected to scale production to between 3 000 and 3 300 metric tonnes (MT) of niobium pentoxide and 150 to 160MT of tantalum pentoxide annually.
Niobium global supply remains constrained, with more than 90 percent sourced from a single Brazilian producer, while demand continues to rise in aerospace, defence, batteries and advanced manufacturing, positioning Kanyika project as a critical supplier.
At full capacity, Kanyika is expected to produce an average of about 3 267MT of niobium pentoxide annually.
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