Lindian Resources says it has shifted its Kangankunde rare earths project in Malawi into mining mode. According to multiple reports, the company has stockpiled ore and is preparing for the first blast as part of the project’s move from earlier development activities into production. The articles say the first blast is now imminent or “nearing,” with the mine preparing key steps required to begin extracting material. All sources also point to a planned production timeline: Lindian targets first production in Q4 2026. The reporting indicates that the project’s next phase depends on completing the early mining and blasting steps before ore is processed or shipped for commercial use. Overall, the coverage focuses on the project’s operational readiness—stockpiled ore and the approach to the first blast—and the company’s stated schedule for starting production later this year.