Lindian strengthens Kangankunde leadership with rare earths commissioning veteran Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock

Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN, OTC:LINIF) has appointed Cliff Webster as technical manager for its Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi, bolstering the team driving the operation toward first production as Stage 1 construction moves into its final stretch.

Webster steps into the role at a pivotal moment, with commissioning on the horizon and Stage 2 expansion studies running in parallel. He will provide technical leadership across commissioning, operational readiness and performance reliability to underpin a disciplined start-up and ramp-up. Webster will also ensure Stage 2 technical inputs remain aligned with Lindian's objective of delivering 100,000 tonnes per annum of additional concentrate production under its expansion pathway.

On Stage 1, Webster will lead technical governance across engineering interfaces, vendor management and construction integration, with early risk identification a central priority to protect commissioning performance and schedule integrity. His remit spans systems completion, pre-commissioning planning, commissioning execution, performance testing and operational handover, as well as the full suite of operational readiness work — operating procedures, workforce training, maintenance systems, critical spares strategy and structured ramp-up planning.

“Stage 1 delivery will be defined by commissioning discipline, operational readiness and performance reliability. Cliff brings direct rare earth expansion experience from Mt Weld and a strong track record delivering complex process plants through start-up and ramp-up. His appointment materially strengthens our ability to execute Stage 1 efficiently while building a technically robust foundation for Stage 2 expansion,” Lindian Resources executive director Zac Komur said.

Rare earths pedigree across two stages

For Stage 2, Webster will contribute to ongoing expansion studies, with a particular focus on translating metallurgical test work into a robust, operable flotation concentrator design and embedding commissioning discipline and reliability principles from the outset to reduce scale-up risk.

Webster brings more than three decades of experience across complex process plant operations and greenfields and brownfields project delivery. Most recently, he served as commissioning manager on the Lynas Rare Earths Mt Weld Expansion Project in Western Australia — a role that closely mirrors the demands he now faces at Kangankunde. His broader career spans senior technical and commissioning positions at Glencore's Murrin Murrin Nickel Operation, Vale's Goro Nickel Project, BHP's Ravensthorpe Nickel Project and Olympic Dam. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) from Curtin University.