Madagascar is edging closer to reviving the Vara Mada rare earth mining project, a roughly $920 million investment led by US-based Energy Fuels, as it seeks to tap into valuable rare earth minerals. Located near Toliara in Madagascar’s southwest, the project targets monazite—a mineral rich in critical elements used in electronics and renewable energy—and could operate for up to 38 years. However, final approval depends on a formal agreement with the government, which must be approved by both the Constitutional High Court and parliament. If greenlit, construction could begin in 2027, with production targeted between 2029 and 2030. The project is strategically significant for Western nations seeking to reduce dependence on China, which currently supplies roughly 80% of global rare earths. However, the revival faces lingering community opposition over environmental and health concerns, reflecting the same social unrest that suspended operations in 2019.
RFI
