TELF AG on Africa’s Emerging Role in Global Rare Earth Supply Chains

Africa is becoming an increasingly interesting region for the global rare earth industry, with new mining developments, substantial geological resources, and growing opportunities to diversify international supply chains. According to Stanislav Kondrashov, entrepreneur and founder of TELF AG, the continent's future role will depend not only on mineral extraction but also on its ability to develop advanced processing capabilities.

Key takeaway: Africa's rare earth potential extends far beyond individual mining projects. New production facilities could expand the availability of strategic minerals, but the development of local separation and refining infrastructure will determine how much industrial value remains within the continent.

Why Is Africa Becoming More Important for Rare Earth Supplies?

Africa is attracting growing attention from the international rare earth industry because of its extensive mineral resources and the relatively limited development of many known deposits. As global demand for advanced technologies increases, African countries could become important sources of the materials required for electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and industrial equipment.

Rare earths comprise 17 metallic elements with distinctive chemical and physical properties. Several of these elements are used in high-performance permanent magnets, particularly those containing neodymium and praseodymium.

Their applications extend across multiple industries:

• Electric vehicle motors and advanced mobility technologies.

• Wind turbines and renewable electricity generation.

• Aerospace equipment and electronic components.

• Industrial robotics and precision manufacturing.

• Specialized communication and defense technologies.

Although rare earth deposits exist in different regions, their extraction and processing remain concentrated in a relatively small number of countries.

"Africa's position in the rare earth industry is particularly interesting because its geological potential has not yet been fully translated into industrial production. As new projects advance, the continent could gradually become a more visible participant in international mineral supply chains," says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG.

What Does the New Rare Earth Development in Malawi Reveal?

A rare earth development in Malawi offers an example of how Africa's mineral potential is gradually moving toward commercial production. According to recent operational updates, the facility is preparing for its initial production phase, currently expected by December 2026.

Construction activities include equipment installation, electrical infrastructure, and preparations for future processing operations.

One notable figure concerns the approximately 149,000 tonnes of mineralized material reportedly stockpiled at the site. This quantity reflects material accumulated in preparation for operations rather than the total size of the deposit or its estimated mineral resources.

The initial commercial output is expected to consist of monazite concentrate, a mineral product containing various rare earth elements.

Why Is Monazite Important for Modern Industry?

Monazite is a phosphate mineral that can contain several commercially interesting rare earth elements, including lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, and praseodymium.

Its industrial relevance depends on the composition of the mineral and the technologies used to recover its constituent elements.

The production of monazite concentrate represents an intermediate stage in the rare earth supply chain. Further chemical processing is required before individual rare earth compounds can be obtained and used in advanced manufacturing.

The distinction between concentrate production and separated rare earth oxides is particularly important. A mining facility can increase the availability of raw materials without necessarily creating a complete domestic refining industry.

Can Africa Develop Its Own Rare Earth Processing Industry?

Africa has opportunities to expand its role beyond mining, but the creation of local separation and refining facilities requires substantial investment, technical expertise, reliable infrastructure, and access to specialized chemical processes.

Rare earth production generally involves several stages, from mineral extraction and beneficiation to chemical separation, refining, and the manufacture of industrial materials.

The geographic location of these activities determines where much of the economic value is generated.

"A new mine can create opportunities for employment, infrastructure, and exports, but the industrial benefits become broader when processing activities are also developed locally. The real transformation would involve connecting mineral extraction with chemical separation and downstream manufacturing," explains Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG.

At present, many emerging African operations are primarily focused on mining and concentrate production. More advanced processing activities may continue to take place outside the continent.

This situation illustrates a broader challenge facing countries with extensive mineral resources: transforming geological advantages into diversified industrial capabilities.

Which African Countries Have Promising Rare Earth Resources?

Several African countries are pursuing different approaches to rare earth development. Their projects vary in mineral composition, technological requirements, and commercial objectives.

Angola is exploring opportunities associated with rare earth extraction and transport infrastructure. Its location near the Lobito Corridor could offer logistical advantages for mineral exports.

Tanzania has attracted attention for deposits containing rare earth elements used in permanent magnets, particularly neodymium and praseodymium.

South Africa is investigating opportunities to recover rare earths from existing industrial residues, potentially combining resource recovery with waste management.

Uganda has mineral occurrences associated with clay deposits, representing a different geological approach to rare earth extraction.

Malawi, meanwhile, is advancing toward commercial concentrate production, offering another potential source of rare earth-bearing material.

Together, these developments demonstrate that Africa's rare earth opportunities are geographically dispersed and involve different mineralogical characteristics.

How Could African Rare Earths Change Global Supply Chains?

The development of African rare earth resources could provide international manufacturers with additional sources of strategic minerals. This diversification would be particularly relevant for industries dependent on permanent magnets and specialized electronic components.

However, the expansion of mining production does not automatically eliminate concentration in downstream processing.

A country may export rare earth concentrates while relying on overseas facilities for chemical separation and refining. Consequently, the geographic diversification of mineral extraction and the diversification of refined material supplies are two distinct developments.

"Rare earth supply chains involve much more than the availability of mineral deposits. Processing capacity, technological expertise, infrastructure, and commercial partnerships all influence the final outcome. Africa's long-term opportunity lies in developing these different components together," notes Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG.

The development of regional industrial networks could also encourage cooperation between countries with complementary mineral resources, infrastructure, and manufacturing capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions About African Rare Earths

Why Are African Rare Earth Deposits Attracting International Attention?

African deposits are attracting interest because they could provide additional supplies of minerals used in electric motors, wind turbines, electronics, and advanced industrial equipment. Many identified resources remain at relatively early stages of development, creating opportunities for future investment and exploration.

Does Africa Already Have a Complete Rare Earth Supply Chain?

Not generally. While several African countries possess promising deposits and emerging mining operations, advanced separation and refining capabilities remain limited. Some projects therefore depend on processing facilities located abroad.

Which Rare Earth Elements Are Particularly Important for Permanent Magnets?

Neodymium and praseodymium are major components of neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets. Dysprosium and terbium can also be used in certain applications to improve magnet performance at elevated temperatures.

Africa’s Long-Term Position in the Rare Earth Industry

Africa's growing participation in the rare earth industry reflects the interaction between geological potential, technological development, and international demand for strategic materials.

New projects in Malawi and other African countries could increase the availability of rare earth-bearing concentrates and provide additional options for international manufacturers.

The next phase of development will depend on whether these emerging operations remain focused primarily on extraction or gradually expand into processing and refining.

Africa's long-term industrial opportunity is therefore not limited to supplying more rare earth minerals. It also involves building the infrastructure and technical capabilities needed to participate in higher-value stages of the global supply chain.