Pensana Plc. has noted in a press release it has made considerable strides in the construction activities at the Longonjo rare earth project. Based in Angola, the mine is deemed as one of the world’s largest and highest-grade rare earth mines. The company noted that the project “continues at pace and is looking forward to a twelve-month period of intense activity with commissioning scheduled for 2027.”

Moreover, they noted initial annual production will be 2,400 tonnes of light magnet metals NdPr.73 tonnes heavy magnet metals DyTb will also be produced in the same period. Both will be produced in the form of clean high value mixed rare earth carbonate with plans to double production. Once doubled, 4200 tonnes of NdPr will be produced and also 122 tonnes DyTb post 2030.

Current resources are over 300 million tonnes and as previously announced an 11,000 metre drill programme has also been planned. It is designed to increase resources towards one billion tonnes. If implemented, it would make Longonjo one of the world’s largest rare earth deposits ever developed. The U.S. has taken a keen interest in the project in an aim to bolster its rare earth supply chain.

Discussions are also well advanced with a number of parties to establish a U.S. mine-to-magnet supply chain. The aim is to realign a major long term supply chain of critical minerals from Angola to OEM backed magnet producers in the U.S. The supply will be fundamental for projects such as the MP Materials magnet facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

Outlook on the Longonjo Rare Earth Project in Angola

The Longonjo rare earth project will be powered by low cost sustainable hydroelectricity supplied from the Luaca dam hydro project. Moreover, the project is connected to the Port of Lobito via the U.S. Government backed Lobito corridor rail. It is also linked by services which are connecting Ivanhoe’s recently commissioned Kamoa-Kakula copper smelter in the DRC to the Atlantic seaboard.

In terms of progress, the main pre-construction facilities have been installed and are also operational. These include the camp and accommodation, construction and site power as well as water treatment facilities. Furthermore, the process plant terrace and contractor’s laydown areas have been completed with preparations for piling operations well advanced.

Bulk earthworks and also starter walls for the tailings storage facility are underway following completion of site clearing. The aggregate and concrete batching plants are also being commissioned for the first large scale concrete pours scheduled in March.

CEO, Tim George noted in his remarks on the current progress “We are delighted with the progress by the engineering team to bring this world class project through design, engineering and pre-construction and also up to the commencement of main construction. Huge thanks to Project Manager Kevin Botha and his team for their considerable efforts to date as we look forward to a period of intense construction activity over the next twelve months.”

Off-site Engineering Works

Other than onsite, off-site engineering works is also taking shape in fine style. For instance, Lycopodium & ProProcess (Engineering Service Providers) and also various vendor package suppliers continue with detailed design and engineering. This is done under the supervision of the Owner’s team with all packages on schedule. The Scrubber package has been awarded to Cobar (South Africa) and also detailed design is progressing. On the other hand, the Flash Dryer and Acid Mixer package awarded to Ingetecsa (Spain). Currently, it is in detailed design with manufacture scheduled to commence in March 2026.

Project Factsheet

Name:

• Longonjo Rare Earth Project

Location:

• Longonjo, Angola

Project Owner / Developer:

• Pensana Plc – Project developer and operator

Project Type:

• Rare earth mining and processing development

Strategic Focus:

• Strengthen U.S. rare earth supply chain
• Establish Angola-to-U.S. mine-to-magnet supply chain
• Support OEM-backed magnet production in the United States

Resource & Production Profile

Current Resource Estimate:

• 300+ million tonnes

Exploration Programme:

• 11,000 metre drill programme underway
• Moreover, targets to increase resource base toward 1 billion tonnes

Initial Annual Production (Phase 1):

• 2,400 tonnes NdPr (light magnet metals)
• 73 tonnes DyTb (heavy magnet metals)
• Output form: High-value mixed rare earth carbonate

Commissioning Target:

• 2027

Infrastructure & Logistics

Power Supply:

• Hydroelectric power from Luaca Dam

Transport Corridor:

• Linked to Port of Lobito via Lobito Corridor rail (U.S. government-backed)
• Also integrated with regional logistics connecting to DRC copper belt exports

Construction & Development Status

Pre-Construction Facilities Installed:

• Camp and accommodation
• Site power infrastructure also in place
• Furthermore, it entails water treatment facilities

Completed Works:

• Process plant terrace
• Contractor laydown areas

Ongoing Works:

• Bulk earthworks
• Tailings storage starter walls
• Also include piling preparations

Plant & Equipment:

• Aggregate plant commissioning
• Concrete batching plant commissioning
• Also first large-scale concrete pours scheduled

Key Developers / Contractors / Engineering Partners

• Pensana Plc – Owner, project sponsor, strategic lead
• Lycopodium Limited – Engineering services provider (detailed design & also project engineering)
• ProProcess – Engineering services provider (process design & also detailed engineering)
• Cobar – Awarded Scrubber package (design progressing)
• Ingetecsa – Also awarded Flash Dryer & Acid Mixer package (detailed design stage; manufacture scheduled 2026)

Strategic Importance

• One of the world’s largest and highest-grade rare earth deposits
• Critical to Western supply chain diversification
• It also supports U.S. efforts to reduce reliance on dominant global suppliers
• Positioned as a long-term, scalable rare earth production hub