In this episode, we chat to Will Dawes, CEO and co-founder of Mkango Resources, a junior miner developer in the Songwe Hill rare earths project in Malawi. A company that also has an extensive exploration portfolio in the country.
Will has a background in geology and mineral exploration with a lengthy career in the resource sector, which encompassed investment banking, equity research, mineral exploration, mining, and metallurgy. For over a decade, Will has been at the helm of Mkango Resources. He gives us an insight into his journey, as well as an update on the company and the rare earths market.
KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Malawi has been known as a rare-earth mineral province for many years.
• Exploration of the historic Songwe Hill rare earths project has yielded good results.
• Infrastructure has improved vastly.
• Mkango has a mine, refine, recycle strategy.
• The carbonate they have contains the full suite of rare earths and their approach is to refine as far downstream as possible to create as many products as possible.
• They plan to use nitric technology, which produces no liquid waste stream.
• Currently, less than 5% of rare-earth magnet elements are recycled, Mkango Resources plan to use the latest technology to start recycling far more of them.
• Mkango is working with university researchers to also start recycling magnetics and do so in a highly efficient way.
• They are examining working in partnership with other companies to open up new opportunities for both parties.
• The future for rare earths is extremely promising, demand is growing fast and is coming from multiple sources.

BEST MOMENTS
‘There are a number of carbonatite type deposits in Malawi. ´
‘We will produce a purified mix of rare-earth carbonate from Malawi which contains the whole suite of rare-earths, a high-value product.’
‘Ultimately, the vision for us is to be able to supply sustainably produced rare earths as well as recycled rare-earths.’
‘By using a rare-earth permanent magnet motor, it means you can have a smaller battery for the same sort of efficiency.’
EPISODE RESOURCES
Website: https://www.mkango.ca/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/mkango-resources-ltd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MkangoResources
Email: [email protected]
VALUABLE RESOURCES
mailto:[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
http://www.mining-international.org
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https://www.facebook.com/MiningInternational.org
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69dGPS29lmakv-D7LWJg_Q?guided_help_flow=3
ABOUT THE HOST
Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first world to third world countries from Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace.
CONTACT METHOD
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
Podcast Description
Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.