A mining site rock blast is ignited at the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)

A bulldozer drives near the under construction mineral processing plant at the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)

Officials gather to watch the blasting at the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)

A mining site rock blast is ignited at the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)

An aerial view shows the road network of the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)

A general view of the under construction mineral processing plant site at the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)

Officials gather to watch the blasting at the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)

An aerial view of the construction site at the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)