LILONGWE, Malawi — Malawi’s mining sector is attracting renewed international business attention after Australian-listed AuKing Mining agreed to acquire the Machinga Heavy Rare Earths Project in southern Malawi.

The project covers about 200 square kilometres in the Chilwa Alkaline Province, an area regarded as prospective for rare-earth minerals. AuKing plans to begin exploration after receiving the necessary regulatory approval.

The project contains heavy rare-earth elements including dysprosium and terbium, which are used in high-performance technologies such as electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics and advanced electronics.

The development comes as international companies and governments seek to diversify critical-mineral supply chains away from excessive dependence on China.

The Machinga project could bring new exploration spending, technical expertise and potential employment opportunities to Malawi, although commercial production remains subject to further exploration, approvals and development.

Malawi’s wider mining sector is increasingly being viewed as an opportunity for economic diversification and foreign investment alongside agriculture and other export industries.