Mining & Trade News

Stakeholders in the minerals sector have expressed mixed feelings on government’s interventions to develop the sector which State President Arthur Peter Mutharika highlighted in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the official opening of the current sitting of Parliament in Lilongwe.

 Mutharika told the house that despite being a potential pillar of economic growth, the mining sector faces numerous challenges including inadequate and limited mineral exploration; legal and regulatory frameworks; and limited capacity to negotiate mining development agreements (MDAS).

 He said in order to address some of the challenges, his administration has made a number of interventions including: suspension of issuance of all types of licenses; initiated auditing of the licence registry; and banned the export of raw minerals pending review of the legal and regulatory framework.

Mutharika said: “Mr. Speaker, Sir, in addition, I have directed the Minister of Finance and the Minister responsible for Mining to enhance Malawi’s capacity for negotiating Mining Development Agreements.”

 “Going forward, My Government will capacitate the state-owned Malawi Mining Investment Company (MAMICO) to undertake detailed exploration of our mineral deposits.”

 “Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I had promised, Government is at an advanced stage of establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund to ensure that proceeds from mining benefit Malawians.”

 Coordinator for Chamber of Mines and Energy Grain Malunga hailed the stated interventions but advised Government to consider issuing licenses to only those companies that have shown capability to progress prospecting projects to mining stage.

 Malunga also advised Government to utilize Geological Survey Department (GSD) professionals in pursuing exploration projects. He said: “I am well informed that the licence registry has been audited including the cadastre map.”

“The Minister will make determination on the recommendations made by Mining Regulatory Authority.”

“MAMICO should hold government equity in mining projects and be actively involved in decision making of those companies. MAMICO should be involved in investing in strategic mining projects that promote infrastructure development and import substitution and they should use existing Geological Survey professionals in advancing strategic exploration projects.”

“The mandate of Geological Survey Department should not be compromised.” But responding in a separate interview, a Mining Expert, John Nkhoma suggested that suspending the entire issuing of licences was not a good idea and further tipped the Government on the need to only review licenses which are idle.

 Nkhoma said: “I think it is not a good idea to suspend wholesome. But I also think there is need to clean the mining registry whereby they should remove all those who are just holding on to land. “Some have had the licences for many years but with no action on the ground.” “On capacitating MAMICO to conduct exploration, I do not think MAMICO is the right institution for that. They should concentrate on investment in mining and not in exploration.”

 “Think about what MIDCOR (the defunct Malawi Investment and Development Corporation) was doing. I think they are misplacing their mandate.” MEAL Officer for Natural Resources Justice Network (NRJN) Biswas Ismael said the decision of auditing and suspending issuance of licenses can be welcome if only it is made to identify and rectify some weaknesses or procedural actions/activities done during the provision of such licenses.

 “MAMICO and GSD are two different entities. The establishment of MAMICO is to spearhead Malawi participation in mining investment.”

“Going by the reasoning by most of the experts in Malawi and others engaged from outside, they have always advised that the government should not invest in mining rather it should play the referee role because of its volatile nature.”

 “Financing MAMICO will help it generate data that it can use in its investment operations and can even be selling the same just like the exploration companies have been doing in Malawi .”

 “As for the GSD, they can request for the resources to upgrade the information that they hold to attract investors.” Ishmael said financing the GSD cannot produce value for money considering how government institutions operate in Malawi. He said: “Buy a leaf from MUBAS (Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences) which has been doing exploration while it is an academic institution while we have the GSD.  If that is OK, then with MAMICO the same can be done.”

“Government just needs a clear strategy on how the money should be used and progress should be tracked and policed with clear timelines.”

“MAMICO should not operate like another GSD but rather a company which is doing business.”

GSD was formed recently as a state owned company mandated to hold government equity in mining ventures and invest in projects to increase government benefits from the sector while GSD is an established government department that is mandated to carry out various geological surveys and keep data for mining investors to access.

I came across this post on LinkedIn by Mr Asimwe Kabunga; a Tanzanian born Entrepreneur who is the Founder and largest shareholder in Australian-listed Lindian Resources, which is preparing to open the Kangankunde Mine poised to become one of the largest and most significant rare earth mines in the World located in Balaka District.

Kemerton’s Cautionary Tale: Why African Downstream Ambitions Need a Reality Check

I am just leaving Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, and the message from some African governments was clear: "No rawer exports.We want downstream precessing."

It sounds great in a speech. It wins votes. But this week, the world’s largest lithium producer, Albemarle, gave us a $2 billion reality check.

Albemarle just idled the final production line at its Kemerton refinery in Western Australia (the state I have called home for almost 30 years now). This was supposed to be the "gold standard" of Western refining. Despite a lithium price rebound, the company realized it is cheaper to mine ore in Australia and ship it to China for processing than to refine it locally.

If a Tier-1 jurisdiction like Australia, with $17B in incentives, world-class power, and a skilled workforce, cannot make the "refining math" work, African nations must ask: Are we setting ourselves up for a "Refining Trap"?

Here are three hard truths for the "Downstream or Bust" agenda:

1. Mining and Refining are NOT the same business

Mining is about geology and volume. Refining is about chemical engineering, low energy costs, and massive scale. You can be a great miner and a terrible refiner. Forcing them together often kills the profitability of both.

2. "Dig and Ship a badge of honor, not a failure

Australia is a mining leader not because it makes batteries, but because it perfected the "METS" (Mining Equipment, Technology, and Services) sector. Australia exports software, safety systems, and drilling tech. This is higher-margin value-add than a chemical plant and does not require billions in subsidized electricity.

3. Policy should be a Magnet, not a Mandate.

Banning raw exports, like we have seen in Zimbabwe or Namibia, does not automatically create a refinery. Often, it creates "stranded assets" and kills investment. Capital is cowardly. It goes where it is welcome and stays where it is well-treated.

The African Approach should be:

• Infrastructure first: Do not mandate a refinery if the power grid cannot handle a toaster.

• Focus on Beneficiation: Primary crushing and sorting (getting to 6% concentrate) is a win. It reduces shipping costs and creates jobs without the $2B price tag.

• Build the METS ecosystem: Use the mines to build local engineering and logistics firms. That is the Australian Model" that actually works.

If we want downstream to grow in Africa, it must grow because it is competitive, not because it is compulsory.

My reaction

After finishing reading the article, I remembered the speech by State President His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika before announcing the national ban on export of raw minerals. Mutharika hailed the potential of the Kangankunde deposit in helping transforming the economy of Malawi currently in deep waters. Before announcing the ban, he emphasized the importance of value addition for Malawi to scale up benefits from mines for critical minerals such as Kangankunde.

When the ban was announced, I was among those people alert on what reaction would come from Lindian. In this newspaper, we had also published an editorial persuading Lindian to consider setting up a processing plant that will produce the high value rare earth minerals in Malawi in order to scale up benefits from Kangankunde. In the editorial, we gave an example of Mkango Resources pursuing the Songwe Hill Rare Earth Minerals, who are planning to construct a processing plant to produce high value minerals from the rare earths within Malawi.

But Lindian posted a statement on the Australian stock exchange soon after the announcement of the ban  that its plans to export rare earth concentrate from Kangankunde would not be impacted because it would conduct some processing within Malawi to concentrate stage,  it claimed was the highest level possible in Malawi due to lack of required facilities.

This was despite cries over the ban from local Artisanal and Small-scale Miners (ASMs) whose activities were impacted by the ban due to lack of access to beneficiation facilities within Malawi. I questioned myself; was Mutharika only targeting ASMs by issuing the Executive Order? But why did he take time talking about Kangankunde before announcing the ban?

Mr Kabunga’s post, therefore, has opened my eyes that Mkulukutamoyo (as Mutharika is fondly called in political circles)  did not execute the ban to just impact the local poor ASMs, rather some investors want to find ways to escape the trap.

As the President stated in his speech before announcing the ban, the success of Kangankunde will certainly contribute significantly to the economy of Malawi understanding that the deposit has over 100 years mining life with Lindian having pegged the initial life span at 45 years.

The economic changes due to the contributions of mines such as Kangankunde will help sustain the political popularity of the President and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Mutharika can indeed not dare risk his popularity just to meet Mr Kabunga’s aspirations though factual and coherent.

Certainly, he clearly remembers that Malawians talked a lot about inadequate benefits from the Kayelekera Uranium Mine in Karonga when during his tenure as President his late brother Bingu sanctioned the opening of the Mine in 2009 by Australia’s Paladin Resources. I do not think he would dare ride in a similar boat though it might look investor friendly.

The best Mr Kabunga and the Kangankunde Project management team can do is to mobilise investors to consider partnering the Malawi Government in developing the refinery to produce the high value rare earths within Malawi. Neither Mutharika nor any Malawian of good would dare lose Kangankunde for a song.

As the President said when announcing the ban, it is imperative for Malawi to realise maximum benefits from its mineral resources, and local value addition is the way.

Local Artisanal and Small Scale Miners (ASMs) have called for an immediate end of the export ban for raw minerals.

Percy Maleta, President of the Federation of Artisanal and Small Scale Miners in Malawi (FASMIM), said the ban has heavily impacted on their trade due to lack of beneficiation facilities in Malawi, which is making export of gemstones impossible.

 “The ban has caused serious harm: lost livelihoods for ASM miners, collapsed contracts, increased smuggling risks, loss of government revenue, and reduced business for logistics companies. The gemstone subsector has been pushed years backward,” Maleta said.

He said Government’s inaction over the issue, despite repeated pleas from the ASMs to lift the ban, has left miners and dealers in a state of uncertainty stressing on the importance of the Ministry responsible for mining to actively engage with players in the sector including ASMs.

“We respect the role of government in regulating the sector. However, regulation must be guided by facts, consultation, and timely communication. We respectfully urge the Ministry to engage the sector, provide an update, and outline a clear way forward,” he said.

Flore-Annie Kamanga, President of the Federation of Women and Youth in Mining (FWYM), expressed concern over lack of clear timelines, transparent reform benchmarks, and structured engagement with ASMs which has left miners in suspense.

 Kamanga said “We call for renewed dialogue, clear timelines, and practical solutions that protect livelihoods while strengthening oversight. The future of the gemstone industry depends not on prolonged bans, but on inclusive, transparent, and accountable regulation.”

In an interview with Mining and Trade Review, MD for Perekezi ASM Consultants Chikomeni Manda also bemoaned government’s unwillingness to respond to ASM’s concerns.

“The small scale miners through various associations have raised a lot of queries with the Ministry even trying to meet the Minister but have not been accorded a chance to be heard. The issue is being overlooked but the impact is very huge” Manda said He expressed concern that the government appears to neglect ASM miners, despite their potential to contribute significantly to the national economy.

 “The government has lost billions in taxes and royalties due to the ban, and smuggling of gemstones to neighbouring countries continues. Legal miners are struggling because they have stockpiled gemstones that they cannot export because international buyers cannot access Malawi’s market. Meanwhile, illegal traders are selling locally and crossing borders with impunity, fuelling corruption,” Manda said.

The ban has fueled undocumented cross border trade, a situation that undermines the very objectives of the suspension by resulting in loss of revenue for the state.

The message from the sector is unequivocal: Engage miners in meaningful dialogue, lift the export ban, restore confidence, and enable the gemstone industry to operate freely once again. 

ASX-listed Fortuna Metals, which is exploring for rutile at its Mkanda prospect in Mchinji, says latest exploration results have indicated multiple large coherent high-grade rutile mneralisation at the site.

Fortuna CEO Tom Langley explains that the latest shallow 0-3 metre results have helped outline several large coherent anomalies of high-grade, over 10% rutile mineralisation.

Langley says the footprint of the anomalous areas now extends over 25km2 and remain open in many areas with assays for 564 drill holes not received.

The Mkanda prospect is adjacent to the Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project, being pursued by ASX-listed Sovereign Metals, and hosts the World’s largest rutile deposit..

Sovereign Metals initial 644 metric tonnes inferred resource covered more than 49 km2.

Langley says: “We look forward to receiving the remaining 534 shallow 0-2m assays to further delineate and expand the rutile mineralisation at surface ahead of further drilling in the second quarter of this year. The shallow assays provide a very cost-effective strategy as a first pass to identify the highest priority areas that fall within the high grade, over 10% rutile mineralisation.”

“We are grateful to Malawi’s Ministry of Energy and Mining for their support of our projects in Malawi by providing a letter clarifying that the Company is unaffected by the raw material export ban announced last October. Fortuna welcomes the government’s initiative to further support the local mining industry by value adding and beneficiating minerals in Malawi before being exported.”

He says the results continue to confirm the similarity across broader areas of the Mkanda Project to the geological setting seen at Kasiya, just 20km to the North.

Langley states that the 675 drill-holes completed in just three months last year is testament to the favourable project access and great commitment of in-country Malawi team.

He says: “Our focus is to undertake exploration with intent and speed to market as we aim to delineate a material rutile resource estimate next to Sovereign Metals’ world class Kasiya deposit. The 675 drill-holes are a first pass to identify the highest-grade areas of rutile that will then shape further resource drilling programmes in 2026. We are extremely catalyst rich as these results define the magnitude of rutile discovery made to date.”

“The Company has embarked on a busy first quarter, and look forward to updating the market with a consistent flow of rutile, graphite and rare earths drilling results.”

Natural rutile is a critical mineral used to make titanium metal needed for the forecast surging demand  for humanoids and robotics in the coming decade with Tesla recently announcing they would seize making two car models to instead focus on making the Optimus humanoid this year. Tesla are expecting over 1-million humanoids sold in 2027 and billions of humanoids by 2040.

“With over 10.4kg rutile projected to be used in each humanoid unit, there is potential for a severe supply shortfall. We aim to be able to fill that gap with supply of our own high-grade rutile to manufacture titanium metal in the coming years,” says Langley. 

Lindian launches Project Early Learning at Kangankunde School

Kangankunde Primary School in rural Balaka District is fast transforming into a modern primary school with new decent infrastructure all thanks to ASX-listed Lindian Resources, which is is rebuilding the existing school infrastructure including new classroom blocks with improved ventilation and chalkboards. Additional works will include an administrative office, gender segregated toilet blocks with septic systems and hand-wash stations, water and sanitation improvements, and simple paved walkways to enhance safety and accessibility, and sports fields for children. In parallel, Lindian will provide every learner attending Kangankunde Primary School  with uniforms, shoes, books, and stationery; supporting full participation in early learning with dignity and confidence.

ASX-listed Lindian Resources, which is preparing to kickstart rare earth mining at Kangankunde in Balaka, has launched the Project Early Learning at Kangankunde Primary School, a government and community-based initiative designed to support access to safe, inclusive and supportive early education and ensure the benefits of the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project are shared with the local community from the earliest stage of the project.

The project was officially launched at the school by Malawi’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology Honourable Bright Msaka who was accompanied by Lindian’s Executive Chairman Mr Robert Martin and Executive Director Mr Zac Komur.

The colourful ceremony which also marked Malawi’s commemoration of World Education Day attracted government officials, traditional leaders and members of the local community.

Speaking at the ceremony, Msaka hailed Lindian for the project that is changing the face of Kangankunde Primary School through the construction of various infrastructure including new school blocks, staff offices, a fence and a netball court.

Msaka said: “This is the kind of investment that a company which is serious minded and is thinking of corporate social responsibility should do. This is the investment in the community that we expect. I want to say thank you very much to Lindian for the quality school that they have given us.”  

He asked the local community to maintain cordial relations with Lindian to ensure that the Company is able to start production and generating mineral sales revenue in order to be able to commit more funds to community development projects.

Mr Martin said Lindian has been working with the Kangankunde community for some time, and Project Early Learning is a natural extension of that relationship.

He said through the company’s ongoing community engagement, education has consistently been raised as a priority and the leadership of Honourable Msaka has been instrumental in turning that shared priority into meaningful action.

Mr Martin said: “Our community engagement plan helps guide where support is most needed and ensures resources are directed to areas that will make a real difference. In this case, that meant focusing on early education and practical improvements that support both students and teachers, in close alignment with the Ministry of Education’s objectives and the needs of the local community.”

“Kangankunde is not only important for the local community but for Malawi as a whole. The project is already creating jobs, supporting local contractors and building skills, with these benefits only expected to grow as development continues. It also demonstrates Malawi’s ability to host large scale, responsible mining projects, helping positioning the country as positive and investable mining jurisdiction.”

“This initiative has been developed in partnership with the government of Malawi under the guidance of Honourable Msaka SC and the Ministry of Education in close collaboration with the local community. It reflects our long-term commitment to Kangankunde, and as the project continues to develop, we will keep working closely with government and community leaders to ensure the benefits are shared over the long term.”

He said initiatives such as Project Early Learning form an important part of the Company’s broader approach to community engagement and responsible project development at Kangankunde.

“Strong alignment with government priorities and ongoing collaboration with local communities underpin Lindian’s social licence to operate and support the timely and efficient delivery of the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project as it advances through construction and towards production,” he said.

Project Scope and Delivery

Under the programme, Lindian is rebuilding the existing school infrastructure including new classroom blocks with improved ventilation and chalkboards. Additional works will include an administrative office, gender segregated toilet blocks with septic systems and hand-wash stations, water and sanitation improvements, and simple paved walkways to enhance safety and accessibility, and sports fields for children. In parallel, every learner attending Kangankunde Primary School will be provided with uniforms, shoes, books, and stationery; supporting full participation in early learning with dignity and confidence.

Delivery will be coordinated in partnership with government and community representatives, with local contractors and suppliers engaged where ever possible. Lindian will underwrite the programme and work alongside its major service providers, who are contributing labour, construction services, materials, transport, furniture and equipment The Company will also maintain the facilities and replenish essential learning materials on an ongoing basis to ensure long term benefits.

 Kangankunde is a multi-generational rare earth development, and Lindian’s commitment is to ensure that the benefits of the project extend well beyond the mine site and are shared with Malawi as a country. Therefore, the Company’s objective is that the children learning at Kangankunde today will have greater opportunities in the future, including pathways into employment at the mine and within the local businesses and industries supported by the project.

ASX-listed Globe Metals & Mining has announced that construction has officially begun at its Kanyika Niobium Project in Mzimba following the signing of a binding Pre-Development Collaboration Agreement with Sinomine International (Zambia) Engineering, a subsidiary of Sinomine Resource Group under the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) approach.

The development marks an important transition for Globe from feasibility and permitting into active project execution. Mobilisation and early works are set to commence in alignment with the Company’s updated Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) targeted for March 2026 and first oxide production is anticipated in the first quarter of 2028.

Charles Altshuler, Interim CEO & CFO of Globe Metals & Mining explains that the commencement of early works is consistent with Globe’s obligations under its Mining Development Agreement and Large-Scale Mining Licence, which require the Company to demonstrate substantive on-ground development activity within defined timeframes.

Altshuler comments: “For Globe, this marks a clear transition from planning to execution. Kanyika is a fully permitted and engineered project now entering the construction phase. “

“The commencement of early works represents the culmination of years of technical research, permitting and community engagement, transforming into physical progress on site, including access infrastructure, earthworks and site establishment.”

“The Agreement with Sinomine allows us to proceed methodically on pre- development, validating construction and operational cost inputs for the Bankable Feasibility Study and advancing downstream oxide qualification work, while retaining full ownership, control over the Project.”

“Importantly, the Agreement is structured on a cost-reimbursable basis with a fixed management fee. This ensures capital discipline as we leverage Sinomine’s expertise and experience for the project’s progression toward full construction and first oxide production.”

He says Globe is pleased to be working with Sinomine on the Kanyika Niobium Project given their extensive experience delivering mining and processing projects across Africa, including complex construction environments requiring the mobilisation of multidisciplinary on-site teams.

“Sinomine brings deep operational capability in the development and processing of critical minerals, including lithium, copper and caesium, and has a proven track record in executing technically demanding projects from early works through to production including power and road infrastructure. This experience provides Globe with confidence that the Project’s early works and Early Contractor Involvement activities will be executed efficiently, safely and in a manner aligned with regional operating conditions and global best practice,” says Altshuler.

Contract terms

The initial construction activities comprise access-road upgrades, bulk earthworks, drainage and stormwater controls, fencing and site security, water infrastructure, and establishment of the construction camp.

Sinomine will undertake defined pre-development and early works, provide costed inputs and execution data for the Bankable Feasibility Study, and produce refinery grade niobium and tantalum oxide samples from Kanyika material obtained during the early works, land clearing activities for qualification and downstream assessment by Globe.

The Agreement is structured as a cost-reimbursable development services arrangement, under which Globe reimburses Sinomine for verified and certified direct costs incurred in performing the agreed scope of work and pays a fixed monthly management fee of USD 20,000 for project management and operational services. No success fees, margins, equity interests, offtake rights, royalties or contingent consideration apply under the Agreement.

Globe retains 100% legal and beneficial ownership, control and decision-making authority in respect of the Project.

Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)

Under the Agreement, Sinomine is required to deploy experienced project, construction and processing personnel with relevant African operating experience to support refinement of the Project scope, plant layout, construction methodology and execution sequencing. This enables Globe to confirm that the BFS configuration is constructible, schedule-aligned and appropriate for regional logistical, labour and climatic conditions, while identifying and mitigating execution risks and potential bottlenecks prior to final investment decision.

The Agreement further requires Sinomine to provide detailed cost validation, supplier pricing, equipment specifications and procurement inputs to support optimisation of capital and operating costs within the BFS. Early engagement with equipment vendors and service providers under the ECI framework improves supply-chain visibility, supports competitive tendering and allows bulk-procurement and logistics efficiencies to be incorporated into the Project design.

Globe has elected to commence defined early works in advance of the milestones of the Bankable Feasibility Study and formal Final Investment Decision under an Early Contractor Involvement framework. This approach is consistent with the Company’s previously announced development strategy and is designed to validate construction methodologies, logistics, scheduling and cost inputs through on-site execution, rather than desktop analysis alone.

Sinomine International (Zambia) Engineering Company is currently constructing the Kitumba Copper Mine in Zambia and therefore brings direct, recent construction and execution experience in Southern Africa, including familiarity with local contractors, logistics, regulatory frameworks and operating conditions.

The company is a subsidiary of Sinomine Resource Group, a publicly listed, global mining and resource development group specialising in copper, lithium, and rare and light minerals (including caesium and rubidium) for new energy and industrial sectors, with operating assets and project experience across Africa, Asia and North America.

Sinomine has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and supply-chain decarbonisation across its operations. This includes the implementation of the Bikita Mine Solar PV Project in Zimbabwe, which has reduced annual carbon emissions by more than 20,000 metric tonnes and established a benchmark for renewable energy integration in large-scale African mining operations.

The newly formed Gold Mining Association (GOMA) is set to improve welfare and promote the livelihood of Artisanal and Smallscale Miners (ASMs) involved in gold mining across the country.

In an interview with Mining and Trade Review, Interim Chairperson Chikomeni Manda said the Association is rooted in community engagement, research, capacity building, advocacy, and campaigns for formalization.

Manda said the Association values promotion of equity in the mining sector and protection of vulnerable groups, particularly women and children affected by ASM operations.

He said: “We believe in stakeholder engagement, promotng collaboration and relationship-building for sustainable development of the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM).”

“The association’s influence is nationwide reflecting our dedication to achieving a truly national impact.”

“At GOMA, we see the empowerment of miners especially the women and youth in gold mining subsector not just as a goal but as a transformative force, enriching individual lives and contributing substantively to the holistic development and prosperity of our communities.”

A survey by Malawi Mining Investment Company (MAMICO) indicates that around 70% of ASMs across the country is made up of the youth and women.

Manda said GOMA is dedicated to creating a vibrant and inclusive gold mining sector by championing the advancement, empowerment, and professional developmentof Artisanal and Small-Scale gold miners through collaboration, capacity building, and advocacy.

He said: “We strive to break barriers, promote diversity, and ensure equal opportunities for miners especially women and youths.”

“We strive to foster a supportive community that inspires innovation, sustainability, and excellence while driving positive change in ASM gold mining sector as a whole.”

“Together, we aim to shape a future where gold miners play pivotal roles in shaping the mining landscape, contributing to its growth, and fostering a culture of equality, respect, and shared success.”  

The Association will be supporting gold ASMs through provision of training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to empower the miners and enhance their skills and knowledge, as well as advocating for policies and practices that ensure equal opportunities, fair representation, and non-discrimination of all gold miners especially women and youths.

Manda said GOMA will also be involved in community engagement to raise awareness on the contributions of gold miners and address social challenges to foster positive relationships between miners and local communities.

The Association will also focus on promoting a safe and inclusive working environment for gold miners by addressing health and safety concerns, and advocating for gender-sensitive policies.

Manda said: “We will be supporting and encouraging entrepreneurship in gold mining by providing training, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities to help them establish and grow their businesses.”

“We will be conducting research and gathering data to inform evidence-based policies and initiatives and also foster a supportive network for gold miners to facilitate collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and mentorship within the industry.”

“GOMA was also formed to promote sustainable and responsible mining practices, by emphasizing the role of miners in driving environmental stewardship and community development and; encourage and support the development of leadership skills among the members especially women and youth aiming for increased representation and decision-making roles within the sector,” said Manda.

ASMs continue to face numerous challenges including lack of financing to conduct operations, ban on export of unprocessed minerals, formal market scarcity, and lack of training opportunities.

A civil society group, the Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD), says the mining sector in Malawi is performing badly on issues of human and environmental protection rights, which are fundamental aspects on international market standards.

Speaking at the national dialogue workshop on Mandatory Environmental and Human Rights Due Diligence in Lilongwe, ISD Executive Director Godfrey Mfiti said minerals that are irresponsibily extracted cannot attract international investment as they lose the trust of foreign businesses.

Mfiti said there is a need for the country to have a regulatory framework on human and environmental protection case like other African countries because it attracts foreign investment as the investors easily trust businesses that cause no harm to both humans and the environment.  

He said: “We are doing badly and this is a threat to the mining industry because if we have irresponsible production it means our minerals would not attract the market.”

“The market in western countries willing to buy our minerals want products which are ethically produced, with its value chain respecting human rights and environmental protection.”

“We are in a crisis whereby we need to balance business and development against environmental pollution and we need to make sure that in each and every stage we comply with basic human rights standards and basic environmental protection regulations.”

Mfiti stressed the need to have a set of regulations such as mandatory human rights and due diligence in place in order to attract the right investors.

 He said there are increased cases of rights violation through poor waste management, poor land negotiation deals and pollution. Mfiti, therefore, said having a regulatory structure and legal framework would be a preventative measure of the harmful practices.

“Having mandatory environmental and human rights due diligence in place is a way to go rather than having reactive regulations where they wait for a crisis to happen to react,” Mfiti said.

In her keynote address on behalf of the Solicitor General, Senior Deputy Director for Human Rights in the Solicitor General’s office Angela Tamanda Kaunda asked for mutual support in championing the development of a Made-in-Malawi Mandatory Environmental and Human Rights Due Diligence legal framework-one that is constitutionally sound, pragmatically enforceable, and forged through the widest possible national consultation.

Kaunda said: “The time for incremental, voluntary steps has passed. The scale of our challenges and the clarity of our constitutional vision demand bold, coherent action.”

“I am therefore, issuing a call for a collective action around five key imperatives including: initiate an inclusive legislative process; prioritize high-impact sectors; anchor access to effective remedy; invest in enforcement capacity; fully integrate with Malawi 2063.”

“It is a pro-good-investment, pro-justice, and pro-Malawi policy. It is the legal instrument that will separate true partners in development from mere extractors of wealth.”

“It is how we ensure that the factories we build do not poison the water our children drink, that the plantations we cultivate do not dispossess the families that have lived In his presentation, Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Principal Officer Jim Kaunda said core findings from both National Baseline Assessments on Business and Human Rights include challenges in environmental rights.

Kaunda said though Malawi has sufficient legal and policy frameworks to protect human rights including environmental rights, there exist gaps and challenges with regard to the effective enforcement of the existing legal-policy frameworks

He said the majority of businesses operating in Malawi do not have human rights policies in place nor implement human rights due diligence.

Kaunda said: “This has resulted in a number of human rights abuses especially in the agriculture, mining, manufacturing, commercial and hospitality/tourism sectors.”

“Access to remedy is a challenge for Malawians, especially at the judicial level with the courts being inaccessible, non-affordable, and having complicated procedures resulting in cases taking long to be finalized.” In Africa only five countries have operating National Action Plans on business and human rights.

The workshop was organized under the theme; ‘Advancing Corporate Accountability for Environmental and Human Rights Protection in Malawi.’

The Ministry of Energy and Mining has drafted the Export (Prohibition of Raw and Unprocessed Minerals) Regulations, 2025, aimed at prohibiting the exportation of minerals that have not undergone beneficiation or value addition within Malawi, unless accompanied by a written permit issued by the Mines and Mineral Resources Regulatory Authority.

The release of the draft regulations follows the Executive Order made by State President Arthur Pater Mutharika banning exportation of raw minerals

Under the regulations, mineral samples are allowed to be exported by  a holder of a mineral right for laboratory analysis, metallurgical testing, geochemical or mineralogical studies, or other analytical work required for exploration, evaluation or feasibility assessment.

Reads the Draft Regulations: “The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, designate additional minerals, revise the minimum processing requirements or impose higher beneficiation or value-addition standards.”

“The prohibition applies to all minerals extracted within Malawi, including but not limited to uranium, rare earth elements, niobium, graphite, tantalum, bauxite, coal, limestone, gemstones, heavy mineral sands, vermiculite, phosphate, pyrite, rutile, gold, diamonds, copper, and associated ores.”

In support of the regulations, the regulations read that the Ministry responsible for Mining, in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, shall design incentives to promote the local industry by: establishment of local mineral processing and refining plants; importation of processing equipment; research and innovation in beneficiation technologies; and public-private partnerships in value addition.

Mining Expert and Geoscientist Consultant Ignatius Kamwanje in an interview welcomed the regulations but blamed the timing of the ban. Kamwanje said: “I also see that those that were drafting have left crucial aspects as well. The conditions that are there means our government has a huge task ahead to make things happen.”

“Right now in Malawi there are no experienced gem dealers in terms of value addition. The Government needs to help in human capital, training as well as attracting skilled investors and so forth.”

“As for other minerals, this again calls on government to boost industrialization for example, invest in processing facilities since raw materials shall be processed first to ensure that the industry should not lag behind because buyers need quality products.”

In a separate interview, National Coordinator for Natural Resources Justice Network (NRJN) Kennedy Rashid said the new regulations demonstrate several promising dimensions including: promotion of local beneficiation and industrialization; enhancing enforcement and accountability mechanisms; phased implementation recognizing local constraints; and alignment with continental initiatives.  

Rashid said: “The explicit requirements for minerals align with Malawi’s broader development goals and the African Mining Vision, which prioritizes local value retention and economic transformation.”

“The draft regulations provide for clear penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture, which indicate a serious effort to deter illegal or premature export of unprocessed minerals.”

“By allowing phased compliance plans for exporters, the regulations balance ambition with practicality, acknowledging Malawi’s infrastructural, technical, and financial limitations, and this ensures that the regulatory framework is enforceable without stifling industry growth,” he said.

Rashid also said the new regulations resonate with the African Green Minerals Strategy by prioritizing the beneficiation of minerals critical for the energy transition and green technologies, such as lithium, cobalt, and graphite. He said this supports the AMV’s goal of inclusive resource governance, industrial development, and regional value chain integration.

However, Rashid said the new regulations are marred with some gaps especially in the ministerial discretion whereby he said the ability for the Minister to grant exemptions in the “national interest” is broad and undefined.

He said: “Transparency mechanisms such as mandatory publication of exemptions and Parliamentary oversight, are essential to mitigate this.”

“The new regulations also have been marred with the gap of limited community and ASM inclusion whereby they are not explicitly provided mechanisms to benefit from beneficiation or participate in value chains.”

“While beneficiation enhances economic value, it may increase environmental pressures and there is a need for mandatory Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, climate-smart processing requirements, and renewable energy integration in beneficiation processes.”

Meanwhile, the Government through the Ministry of Energy and Mining has opened doors for input on draft regulations from all stakeholders.