Pensana Advances $250M Rare Earth Mine in Angola, Targets 2027 Production

Published: Jun 12, 2026 09:12
According to overseas media reports, London-listed Pensana announced that construction of the Longonjo rare earth mine in Angola is progressing as planned, with a total investment of $250 million, targeting first commissioning and production of mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) in 2027. The mine has a life of 20 years, with initial annual production of 20,000 mt of mixed rare earth carbonate, expanding to 40,000 mt in the fourth year. $36 million has been invested in the development of the mine and beneficiation plant, and main construction works are 22% complete. Manufacturing of long-lead equipment is progressing well, with committed procurement capital expenditure of approximately $135 million. The company is optimizing the heavy rare earth recovery circuit, targeting over 122 mt per year of dysprosium and terbium, positioning Longonjo as one of the largest heavy rare earth producers in the Western world. The modular separation facility can be expanded with mine expansion and includes a metallization circuit. Pensana has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Toyota Tsusho for the offtake of up to 20,000 mt per year of mixed rare earth carbonate from Longonjo for a five-year term. The company has established a multi-partner offtake framework covering Japan's Toyota Tsusho, US-based ReElement Technologies, and US/Germany-based VAC/eVAC Magnetics. The project has received a $165 million strategic investment from Cascade Natural Resources and debt financing from ABSA, with political and commercial risk insurance provided by the US Export-Import Bank.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
French Rare Earth Firm Carester Inks 10-Year Deal with Malaysia's Malaco Mining for Joint Plant
2 hours ago
French Rare Earth Firm Carester Inks 10-Year Deal with Malaysia's Malaco Mining for Joint Plant
Read More
French Rare Earth Firm Carester Inks 10-Year Deal with Malaysia's Malaco Mining for Joint Plant
French Rare Earth Firm Carester Inks 10-Year Deal with Malaysia's Malaco Mining for Joint Plant
【SMM快讯】法国稀土企业卡雷斯特(Carester)宣布与马来西亚Malaco Mining签署为期10年的战略合作协议,计划在霹雳州合资建设一座年处理能力约1.3万公吨的稀土分离厂。这是欧洲稀土企业首次大规模投资马来西亚稀土产业。根据协议,双方已完成吉兰丹州和霹雳州的稀土分离技术前期试验,未来合资工厂将生产钕、镝、铽等高性能磁体所需的稀土氧化物。双方还将共同开发“原地浸取”环保采矿技术,并寻求在马来西亚多个州属的种植园区域开展稀土开采。卡雷斯特承诺将承购部分精矿产品,供应其在法国的重稀土浓缩设施。
2 hours ago
Malaysia to Hold Hearing on Lynas' $96M Rare Earth Deal Amid Public Protests and Concerns
2 hours ago
Malaysia to Hold Hearing on Lynas' $96M Rare Earth Deal Amid Public Protests and Concerns
Read More
Malaysia to Hold Hearing on Lynas' $96M Rare Earth Deal Amid Public Protests and Concerns
Malaysia to Hold Hearing on Lynas' $96M Rare Earth Deal Amid Public Protests and Concerns
[SMM Flash] Malaysia's Parliamentary Special Select Committee on International Trade and International Relations will hold a hearing on July 16 to examine the $96 million rare earth supply agreement signed between Australia's Lynas Rare Earths and the US Department of Defense. Previously, more than 20 non-governmental organizations staged a protest rally near the Parliament building and submitted a memorandum to lawmakers, demanding the government stop Lynas from supplying rare earth oxides used in weapons manufacturing to the US Department of Defense. The hearing will invite representatives from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Lynas to attend, and its conclusions will be submitted to the government as a basis for formulating the national rare earth policy. This move indicates strong public concern in Malaysia over the use of rare earths for military purposes, which may influence the future direction of the country's rare earth industry policy.
2 hours ago
[SMM Rare Earth Morning Brief] Light rare earth under pressure and pulls back, medium-heavy rare earth stays firm, magnetic material scrap in the doldrums
3 hours ago
[SMM Rare Earth Morning Brief] Light rare earth under pressure and pulls back, medium-heavy rare earth stays firm, magnetic material scrap in the doldrums
Read More
[SMM Rare Earth Morning Brief] Light rare earth under pressure and pulls back, medium-heavy rare earth stays firm, magnetic material scrap in the doldrums
[SMM Rare Earth Morning Brief] Light rare earth under pressure and pulls back, medium-heavy rare earth stays firm, magnetic material scrap in the doldrums
[Light Rare Earth Under Pressure and Pulling Back, Medium-Heavy Rare Earth Firm, Magnetic Material Scrap in the Doldrums] Yesterday, Pr-Nd alloy prices pulled back slightly, affected by sluggish market inquiries, compounded by raw material price pullbacks. Although metal plants slightly lowered their offers, actual trading remained stagnant. In the medium-heavy rare earth segment, terbium metal prices continued to rise, supported by oxide costs, while dysprosium-iron alloy prices held steady.
3 hours ago
According to overseas media reports, London-listed Pensana announced t - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)