Pensana targets billion‑ton rare earth resource in Angola
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Pensana Plc has announced an $11 million drilling and metallurgical program to expand the mineral resource at its Longonjo rare earths project in Angola. The campaign is designed to take the project’s Joint Ore Reserve Committee-compliant resource to over one billion tons, potentially positioning Longonjo among the world’s largest rare earths deposits.
The work is scheduled to begin in early 2026 and will include 25,000 meters of vertical core drilling. The goal is to extend the current near-surface neodymium and praseodymium-rich rare earth oxide zone. Alongside drilling, metallurgical sampling and testwork will help shape mine planning and optimize processing flowsheets.
Chairperson Paul Atherley described the expansion as a critical step toward creating a world-class operation. “The style of mineralization at Longonjo has very significant depth extensions,” he said. “We are confident this program will rapidly deliver a substantial increase to our already world-class resource inventory.”
A strategic asset within a developing supply chain
Longonjo’s location offers more than geological promise. It sits along the Lobito Corridor, a transport and infrastructure development stretching from Angola’s interior to the Atlantic coast. The project is already supported by planned rail upgrades, hydro-electric power, and access to port facilities in Lobito. These logistics are expected to significantly lower transport costs and speed up time to market.
The Longonjo rare earths project is already recognized as a cornerstone asset for Pensana, which is focused on becoming a non-Chinese supplier of critical minerals. The current expansion is expected to significantly boost the size and grade of the resource while also reinforcing the company’s place in a reshaping global supply chain.
Mine to magnet strategy builds out
Pensana is also pursuing a vertically integrated mine-to-magnet strategy. Longonjo will supply feedstock to its U.S. partner, eVAC, a magnet producer based in Sumter, South Carolina. Initially, the facility will produce 2,000 tons of advanced rare earth magnets annually, with production expected to scale to 12,000 tons per year by 2029.
This alignment gives Pensana a clear advantage. By securing both upstream resource control and downstream magnet manufacturing, the company is positioning itself as a strategic supplier of rare earth materials outside China’s control. Atherley emphasized that many international buyers are actively seeking alternative suppliers to de-risk their procurement channels, and Longonjo’s feedstock pipeline is key to meeting that demand.
Rare earth magnets are essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, and defense systems. Global demand continues to grow as more economies transition to low-carbon energy systems and electrified transportation.
Global push to diversify rare earth supply
Pensana’s announcement comes at a time of renewed global focus on the rare earths market. China currently controls the majority of global rare earths processing and has previously tightened export controls on key materials, raising concern among U.S. and European policymakers and industries.
The scale of Pensana’s ambition at Longonjo mirrors this urgency. Few projects outside China are targeting billion-ton resources. The company’s ability to advance drilling, secure power, and integrate downstream facilities could make it one of the most important rare earths players outside East Asia by the end of the decade.
More broadly, this move reflects how the critical minerals race is shifting. Rather than focusing only on high-grade but isolated deposits, companies are now prioritizing scale, infrastructure, and strategic alignment with major supply chains. Pensana appears to be ahead of the curve in this regard.
If successful, the Longonjo expansion would make Angola a new focal point for global rare earths production. It also underscores how public and private sector investment in African infrastructure is enabling resource development at a scale previously considered challenging.
As the drilling program begins in 2026, the industry will be watching closely. A resource base of over one billion ton could transform not just Pensana, but the geopolitical landscape of rare earths.