Mining & Trade News

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has promised in the party’s manifesto to do away with obstructions to the growth of the mining industry in the country.

The manifesto explains that the country’s extractive sector already has a strong policy and legal framework and what has remained is enforcement of the law.

According to the manifesto, the key impediments to the growth of the mining industry include: Inadequate mineral exploration; lack of laboratory and monitoring equipment; inadequate dissemination of information to the general public; gaps in skilled personnel at all levels as well as lack of staff establishments in districts and border posts; and inadequate capacity in contract negotiations.

Through the manifesto, Party President Peter Mutharika says if all obstructions are eradicated, the sector has the potential to hike the current contribution of 1% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to up to 20%.

He says: “The strength of the industry is that it has available policy and legal mandates such as Mines and Minerals Act, Mines and Mineral Policy, Petroleum Exploration Act, Explosives Act, and Artisanal and small-scale mining policy.

“Through this Manifesto, the Democratic Progressive Party government commits to: ring-fence all critical minerals under the State-owned mining company Malawi Mining Investment Company (MAMICO) and ensure that geophysical surveys shall be undertaken regularly to target mineral exploration for rare earth minerals, precious and base metals and industrial minerals.”

“We will also put in place the relevant governance and mining legal frameworks and develop the skills that can support high value minerals.”

“The minerals shall be linked to high-end local production that will be key for high-value export and import substitution like steel manufacturing.”

Mutharika also promises the use of mineral resources mapping to develop high value mines through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) arrangements to increase returns from minerals while creating more jobs for the people, including the skilled and unemployed youth.

To ensure that there is adequate energy to be used in mining, the DPP leader promises to encourage and facilitate mining companies to generate their own electricity.

He said: “We will support domestic production of equipment and materials which are used in such important areas as laboratories, factories and farms, and; formalize and regulate artisanal and small-scale mining while linking them to appropriate technologies and anchor mining firms.

“We will also facilitate both establishment of markets for minerals and value addition in some of the minerals to enable them fetch higher prices on the market.”

“We promise to capitalize the Malawi Mining Investment Company (MAMICO) to the tune of not less than K500 billion to enable it promote the optimal development of the mining sector, properly manage the Government equity stakes in various mining ventures and effectively maximize national revenue and benefits from mining for Malawi,” says Mutharika.

The Malawi 2063 identifies mining as one of the strategic sectors that have potential to support industrialization of the country’s economy.

Mining contributes a staggering one percent to Malawi’s economy despite hosting proven deposits of valuable minerals including critical minerals important for the green energy revolution such as rare earths, niobium, graphite and rutile.  

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (AERA) has reported progress in ensuring that companies handling radiation sources, nuclear material and other radioactive substances comply with licensing and worker monitoring regulations.

In an interview, Acting Executive Director Chimwemwe Gamulani said there are encouraging signs that players are beginning to take compliance seriously.

“There are 46 facilities which have enrolled their radiation occupationally exposed workers in the individual radiation monitoring program, representing 72 percent of the target for the 2025/2026 financial year. AERA is currently monitoring 333 occupationally exposed workers, which accounts for 61 percent of the annual target,” said Gamulani.

He said that in terms of authorization, 65 facilities have so far been licensed, representing 62 percent of the target for this financial year. This licensing process is critical because, according to the law, no person or institution is permitted to engage in activities involving radiation sources without a licence granted by AERA.

Gamulani explained that to ensure compliance, AERA conducts regulatory inspections each financial year. These inspections have revealed that, initially, many facilities were failing to meet legal requirements, but the situation has started to improve.

“The key finding has been that most facilities were not complying with the Act. However, due to the inspections and awareness raising conducted by AERA, there is an improvement in compliance by the facilities,” he said.

Gamulani explained that where facilities fail to comply, AERA applies what it describes as a “graded approach” to enforcement. This ranges from encouragement and technical support for compliance to court action or even criminal prosecution, depending on the level of risk posed.

“The Authority has already issued stop orders and corrective measures to some facilities that were found to be non-compliant,” he said.

Despite these enforcement efforts, Gamulani cited lack of awareness among facility managers, resistance to comply with license conditions, weak safety cultures, and limited financial resources to conduct inspections as the main challenges.

However, he stressed that the Authority has responded by “intensifying stakeholder engagement through workshops, inspections, and publication of notices, while it is working to increase its revenue base and prioritise its activities to ensure efficiency”.

Despite the obstacles, Gamulani said that AERA has already observed tangible improvements in radiation safety practices explaining that  more workers are being registered for individual monitoring, and the number of facilities applying for licences is growing.

AERA also operates the National Dosimetry Laboratory, which plays a crucial role in protecting occupationally exposed workers by tracking their radiation exposure and ensuring it does not exceed recommended safety limits.

The Authority, established under the Atomic Energy Act of 2011, is mandated to regulate the importation, use, storage, and disposal of radiation sources in Malawi in order to protect both people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.

There are a number of mining and mineral prospecting projects in Malawi hosting deposits of radioactive minerals including Kayelekera in Karonga, Kanyika in Mzimba and Kangankunde in Balaka.  

A survey conducted by Malawi Mining Investment Company (MAMICO) has established that 78 percent of Artisanal Small-scale Miners (ASMs) across the country are women and youths.

In an interview with Mining and Trade Review, CEO Leonard Kalindekafe said the survey shows that women make up to 30% while the youth stand at 48% of ASM population. Kalindekafe said he is impressed with the results explaining that it signifies that women and youths are most honest and contenders in mining activities.

He said: “For me, the nice thing is that women are much involved in running household chores. Therefore, if we help women and youth earn adequate money through ASM operations, they will be able run their families as well as building their future respectively”

“One of the pillars of MAMICO is to empower the youth in innovation, train then in entrepreneurship and in anything that could impact the sector.”

Kalindekafe also said as the mining sector is growing in the country there is a need to have more local skilled and experienced people in the industry.

“For example, we always import mining economists or engineers but if we train them, we can source them locally,” he said.  

Coordinator for Chamber of Mines and Energy Grain Malunga commented in a separate interview that it is not surprising to see women and youth dominating the sector understanding that the nature of the sector does not require heavy machinery.

Malunga called for decentralization saying it is the only effective way that ASMs can be supported in the country. He said: “To promote that sector, we need to engage at very low level not at ministerial level. This is why I always say that decentralization through the Councils should be able to benefit the households.

” Meanwhile, the ASMs sector is facing challenges including rapid decline of the prices of gold and gemstones at the Export Development Fund (EDF), a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of Malawi which offers a structured market for the products.

Miners say the drop in buying prices, linked to the Malawi kwacha exchange rate to the United States Dollar, deprives them of their profits.

The other problem for the ASMs is lack financial assistance to purchase machinery to be able to access deeper gold seams which results in little amount of gold mined.

As a strategic vehicle for unlocking Malawi’s untapped mineral wealth, MAMICO is committed to fostering private-sector partnerships, driving local beneficiation and value addition, encouraging indigenous Malawian participation in mineral resource development, and accelerating economic transformation in alignment with Malawi 2063 (MW2063).

Members of the community in Mulanje have written the Malawi Government protesting its intention to declare Mulanje Mountain cultural landscape as a protected monument saying the move will disturb the rare earth and bauxite prospecting project that local firm Akatswiri  Mineral Resources is conducting in the area in so doing depriving the local community of potential benefits from mining.

The Mulanje Concerned Citizens are objecting the government’s decision in a letter signed by Chairperson Albert Muloma, Secretary Robert Patrick and Treasurer Robson Mpondo.

The letter has also endorsements by 10 traditional leaders from the area including Group Village Head Kazembe; and Village Heads Nkawera, Muhiyo, Kathumba, Mangombo, Namkwakwala, Chilanga, Gelegele, Harneri and Joseph.

The letter reads: “We want Government to rescind this decision because it will disturb the mining project underway in the mountain.”

“We are informed that the mining project will employ over 1,200 members of the local community and rake in foreign exchange in excess of US$200-millioon. This is a very significant amount as our country is struggling with the problem of lack of foreign exchange.”

“We will continue protesting on this issue until our grievances are addressed.” In its statement published in the local press on July 2, the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture through the Department of Museums and Monuments announced its intention to declare the Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape a protected monument.

The statement issued by order of the responsible Minister Honourable Richard Chimwendo Banda reads: “The Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape located in Mulanje and Phalombe Districts is recognised for its outstanding cultural, historical and spiritual significance. It contains sacred rain shrines, ancestral ritual sites, and cultural features of national and international importance and is currently undergoing evaluation for inscription as a United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) world heritage site.”

“Pursuant to Section 11 (2) of the Monuments and Relics Act 1991: 1. Notice is hereby given to all persons or bodies with an interest in the said monument to submit written representations with respect to this proposal. 2. Representations must be submitted within one (1) month from the date of publication of this notice.”

The statement says that after due consideration of any representations received within the prescribed period, the Minister may proceed with formal declaration of the Mulanje Mountain Cultural Landscape as a protected monument.

But the Concerned Mulanje citizens state in their letter that they fear that the declaration will disturb the prospecting activities since UNESCO comes with its own regulations for managing a heritage site.

“Declaration of heritage sites distract development projects, for example a water project was impacted in Mangochi following the same declaration on Lake Malawi National Park. We, natives of Mulanje, are not happy with the decision which authorities have made without any local consultations,” reads the letter addressed to the Office of President and Cabinet, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Mining and Mulanje District Commissioner.

In a separate letter addressed to the Secretary for Ministry of Local Government, Culture and National Unity, Group Chairman for Akatswiri Hilton Banda described the timing of the declaration, without clear indications of specific areas of interest over the Mt Mulanje cultural landscape to members of the general public including his company, as unreasonable and questionable.

He states that he finds it surprising that the decision has not been done in full consultations with the Ministry of Mining that issued his company with mineral rights over part of the area. Banda says:

“We feel the declaration may result in stifling and depriving the significant progress our mining project has made over the last seven years.”

“I therefore, wish to emphasize to your Ministry that as a Malawian owned company we are open to engage in any agreements with all relevant stakeholders without sterilising the mineral resource of the project area where we have already made progress in terms of both financial and technical terms where the company has so far invested and achieved a lot.”

The Chambe basin and Lichenya plateau located on western part of Mulanje Mountain are historically, one of the best high valued mineral potential areas that holds significant and major bauxite and rare earth elements deposits based on current and past feasibility studies.

Akatswiri has been carrying out detailed exploration of bauxite and rare earth elements over the Chambe basin and Lichenya plateau areas since 2018 that led to technical feasibility studies and eventually an application for an initial 15-year mining licence that has since been granted by the board of the Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority upon approval of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report by the Malawi Environment and Protection Authority (MEPA).

The bauxite and rare earth project is expected to generate a minimum of US$260-Million annually,  significantly resolving Malawi’s forex crisis, reduce aluminium product imports; create at least 2,265 direct jobs to local Malawians; and contribute to at least 7% of royalties to Monument and Relic Conservation endeavours, as it uses zero-blasting techniques and aerial transport to minimise impacts.

Sovereign Services has successfully completed the first year of a two-year pilot mining and soil rehabilitation test programme at its Kasiya Rutile and Graphite Project. 

This test programme and its outcomes are an important milestone in the company’s progress to determine the economic and technical feasibility of the project and its future implementation timelines. 

The farmers near Kasiya who are directly impacted and disturbed by the pilot mining and soil rehabilitation test programme have received benefits in-kind and in monetary form equalling an average of four times their annual household income in return for allowing the company to use their land during this two-year test period.

The amounts, which has been fully paid to the 35 affected households, are considerably more than the amount they would have earned from their usual crop cultivation, if Sovereign had not undertaken the test programme.  The disturbance allowances paid are in addition to the significant in-kind benefits received in the form of agricultural input loans, training, mentorship and financial literacy support. In addition to this, farmers were employed as part of the test programme in support of the company’s feasibility studies. All disturbance compensation amounts were calculated by valuers from Ministry of Lands based on full replacement value of potential losses, and disbursed with the approval and agreement from the relevant government ministries.

Importantly, all farmers were able to harvest their 2024 crops, so incurred no actual crop losses, and no single farmer lost a planting season since all disturbed land was rehabilitated prior to the 2025 planting season. Farmers were able to harvest their crops during May 2025 and achieved yield increases of five times the harvests in the previous year. No farmer or household was left without the means to support their livelihoods.

 
The disturbance payments are for the potential losses and disturbance associated with temporary use of land over the two-year test period. The same affected farmers and households will participate in the second year of the rehabilitation test programme, which is expected to conclude in June 2026. This second year will not involve any excavation or soil disturbance activities, only planting of maize, monitoring and harvesting under the guidance of the company’s agricultural experts. Fully rehabilitated and restored land will be returned to the affected farmers at the end of the test programme.

 
Test results from this programme will inform the design and implementation of the Kasiya project. 

“Based on the average yield and land area impacted (3,000m² per household), the potential lost value of crops on this area would have been approximately US$200 per household at conventional yields. Considering the average annual household income in the Kasiya area is around US$600, the benefits received by the farmers are substantial, equivalent in value to about four times their total annual household income. The relationship with the landowners is positive, through continued communication during the process to ensure the farmers fully understand and have input into the decisions that affect them” said Sovereign Services Social Performance Manager Garth Lappeman.

 
“We are deeply committed to transparency, accountability, and building long-term partnerships with communities. Our goal is to ensure that local communities benefit meaningfully from the Kasiya project; the total value of cash and in-kind benefits provided to affected households far exceeds any potential losses, reflecting our commitment to good social practice and sustainable community development,” he added. 

In addition to direct payments, Sovereign Services has implemented a comprehensive package of livelihood-enhancing initiatives that continue to enhance the company’s strong relations with local communities. These include conservation farming programmes on land not affected by the test program to boost crop yields; a vulnerable household vegetable project that supports nutrition and income diversification; precautionary food support for vulnerable households, and local hiring opportunities for exploration and rehabilitation activities. By providing these multifaceted benefits, Sovereign is demonstrating its commitment to supporting the well-being and economic resilience of local communities.

 
These efforts have produced tangible results, with farmers successfully harvesting their land in 2024 and 2025. The 2025 harvest significantly exceeded conventional yields, thanks to the company's technical support and conservation farming training. More importantly, compensation for crop losses was calculated at 2.2 tonnes per hectare, exceeding the actual average conventional yield of approximately 1.3 tonnes per hectare. This generous calculation provided a substantial financial cushion for all affected farmers and ensures that no farmers are under-compensated for potential losses, considering of course that no potential losses were realised and so these payments were in excess of full improved harvests. 

“As the Kasiya project advances, our focus remains on ensuring that development is inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with the aspirations of the people of Malawi,” Mr Lappeman stated. 

The Kasiya project, one of the world's largest undeveloped natural rutile and graphite deposits, is progressing steadily towards development, with community engagement and environmental stewardship at its forefront. It is in an exploration and study phase, and no mining or selling of minerals has yet taken place. 

ASX-listed Globe Metals & Mining has announced the appointment of Dr. Joseph C.N. Mkandawire as a Non-Executive Director of its wholly owned subsidiary, Globe Metals & Mining Africa Limited, based in Lilongwe, Malawi; which is pursing the Kanyika Niobium Mining Project in Mzimba.

Dr. Mkandawire retired in June 2025 after over 35 years of exemplary public service within the Government of Malawi.

His career culminated in his appointment as Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Mining, where he was entrusted with establishing and leading the ministry.

Under his stewardship, the Ministry was successfully structured and implemented key reforms to align Malawi’s mining sector with national development goals as outlined in Malawi Vision 2063.

Dr Mkandawire has extensive experience in senior roles in Malawi Government across key ministries, including Trade and Industry, Homeland Security, Education, Natural Resources, and the Office of the Vice President.

MD for Globe Metals and Mining Africa Lisungu Chirwa says in a statement that Dr. Mkandawire is widely recognised for his strategic leadership, institutional reform capabilities, and ability to build consensus across sectors.

Chirwa comments: “I am delighted with the appointment of Dr. Mkandawire to the Board of Globe Metals & Mining Africa. His wealth of experience across various ministries within the Government of Malawi makes him an invaluable asset to our company.”

“His profound understanding of public sector operations and strategic leadership will undoubtedly enhance our organisation and contribute to the successful development of our project.”

Charles Altshuler, Interim CEO & CFO of Globe Metals & Mining, says Dr. Mkandawire’s appointment underscores the Company’s long-term commitment to establishing Globe as a trusted development partner in Malawi.

Altshuler says: “His leadership and insights are instrumental as we advance the Kanyika Niobium Project into development. With his guidance, we are better positioned to align with national development goals and unlock the project’s full potential for Malawi and its people and for our shareholders.”

He says the Board warmly welcomes Dr. Mkandawire and looks forward to his contribution as the Company enters a critical phase of engagement and execution at Kanyika.

Dr. Mkandawire’s appointment completes the Board’s strategic capabilities, particularly in government relations and policy alignment, ensuring the Board is fully equipped to guide the Kanyika Project through its development phase.

Globe Metals is preparing to start mine construction at Kanyika where it is targeting niobium and tantalum mineralization.

The company completed feasibility studies and signed a Mine Development Agreement with the Malawi Government and a Community Development Agreement with the local community.

Globe identified niobium and tantalum mineralisation in 2007 at Kanyika and has been undertaking exploration and resource development activities since.  

Drilling programs totalling 33.8 kilometres of percussion and core drilling have confirmed the extent of mineralisation.

In addition, Globe has undertaken substantial metallurgical optimisation work and commissioned a pilot plant to demonstrate and further optimise metallurgical processes. Metallurgical optimisations studies have improved recoveries from 62% in 2012 to 75% today, through simple novel patented metallurgical processes. 

The ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has unveiled its 2025 manifesto that intends to increase the mining sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the current less than 1% to between 10% and 15% by 2030.

Through the manifesto, MCP leader Lazarus Chakwera says this will be possible through harnessing the numerous resources that the country has and creating a conducive environment for the projects that are in pipeline.

Chakwera says: “This is possible because Malawi is richly endowed with a wide range of mineral resources, including gemstones, gold, coal, limestone, rare earth elements, platinum group minerals, and diamonds.”

“We see the Kasiya rutile and graphite project, touted as the largest known rutile deposit in the world, with its potential for significant annual revenues, as a major opportunity for Malawi.”

“The MCP led government has taken several significant steps to create a conducive environment for the progressive development of the mining sector in Malawi.”

“Since ascending to power in June 2020, the MCP government has modernized the policy legal framework for the mining sector including; established the Mining Authority; and constituted the Malawi Mining Company (MAMICO) to safeguard national interest in the mining sector.”

He explains that Malawi can leverage its natural resources to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of its citizens while ensuring sustainable and responsible development.

The Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project is on track to become a global leader in critical minerals, with projections of $645 million (K1.2 trillion) in annual revenues over 25 years as compared to about $350 million annual forex earning from tobacco.

Malawi is also mining uranium at Kayelekera in Karonga.

With off take agreements of up to 1.5 million pounds of uranium already secured by the miner ASX-listed Lotus Resources from 2026 to 2029, the mine is expected to contribute significantly to the national economy.

To harness the sector’s potential to power inclusive growth, industrial transformation and generational prosperity, the MCP led government commits to undertake developments including: strengthening the Minerals and Mining Regulatory Authority to make the regulatory framework of the sector more efficient, transparent and accountable: increase the capacity of Malawi Mining Company (MAMICO) to spearhead the mining of industrial minerals and manage government shareholding including monitoring the progression of existing mining agreements and secure new ones with potential investors as well as negotiating community benefits from mining agreements.

He says: “We intend to promote beneficiation as a condition for investment in the sector to guarantee that a substantial proportion of wealth from minerals remain in the country.”

“We want to intensify efforts to monetize some of the minerals in order to generate resources necessary for front-loading the development of supporting infrastructure for wealth creation, and to provide stability to exchange rate movements.”

“We also plan to implement systems for accurately recording and managing mineral sector revenues to ensure they are used effectively for public goods and: strengthen the roles of Parliament and oversight institutions in natural resource governance, including increased information sharing and capacity building.”

Chakwera also promises to champion community engagement especially in the planning and implementation of mining projects to ensure their well-being and address potential development issues. He also plans to invest in training and education to build the capacity of the mining sector including support to the artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs).

Chakwera says: “We will establish a structured market for gemstones and other minerals, particularly from ASMS while in the interim banks will start buying the minerals directly from the miners.”

“We will also transform the Department of Mining Engineering into a School of Mining at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), accelerate skills development in the sector and; actively promote Malawi’s mineral sector to attract investment and stimulate growth, by targeting only serious investors with a global reputation for credible dealings in order to maximize benefits from the mining sector.”

“My government will champion sustainable, environmentally conscious mining that protects our ecosystems while delivering jobs and infrastructure as well as establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund to secure the proceeds from mining for all Malawians while strategically investing in schools, clinics, roads and skills to further power the country’s transformation.”

MCP is also promising to undertake a comprehensive valuation of Malawi’s mineral wealth and other natural resources to hedge against loans such as Debt for Nature Swaps, to finance strategic national projects.  

ASX-listed Iluka Resources has entered into an agreement with Lindian Resources for the long-term supply of rare earth concentrate from its Kangankunde project in Malawi’s Balaka District.

Iluka says in a Press Statement posted on Australian Stock Exchange that under the agreement, Lindian will supply Iluka with 6ktpa of rare earth concentrate for 15 years. This material would be complimentary feedstock for Iluka’s Eneabba rare earths refinery, and would represent approximately 10% of the refinery’s capacity.

Eneabba will be Australia’s first fully integrated rare earths refinery to produce separated light and heavy rare earth oxides.

The refinery is currently under construction; scheduled for commissioning in 2027; and being built through a strategic partnership between Iluka and the Australian Government.

To support Lindian’s development of Kangankunde, Iluka says in the statement that it has entered into a US$20-million loan facility agreement with a five-year term.

It says the loan will be made available subject to Iluka completing due diligence, Kangankunde being fully funded and after other construction funding had been spent.

Iluka’s General Manager for Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs Luke Woodgate states: “Our agreement with Lindian is a further step towards delivering on the significant industry building opportunities presented by Iluka’s development of the Eneabba rare earths refinery.”

“Against a backdrop of heightened emphasis on diversifying the supply of rare earths globally, this is an example of Iluka catalysing a new mine into production as its Australian refining customer.”

“This is part of our focus on securing complimentary Australian and international feedstocks for Eneabba, both from Iluka’s own portfolio and from third party suppliers like Lindian. Construction of the refinery is progressing well, with concrete works advancing and equipment now arriving at the site. In parallel, we are active in discussions with several potential feedstock suppliers.”  

“The Kangankunde deposit has the potential to support a large, low cost and simple mining operation. I am delighted that our discussions have culminated in a binding agreement, including the potential to further expand feedstock in the future.”

“Iluka looks forward to Lindian bringing Kangankunde into production  and the positive contribution our cooperation will make to a sustainable rare earth industry.”

In a separate press statement, Lindian Executive Chairman Robert Martin describes the binding strategic partnership with Iluka as a defining milestone for Lindian providing a credible pathway forward for the development of the world class Kangankunde Project, while delivering long-term contracted revenue.

Lindian’s flagship Kangankunde Project will produce a premium monazite concentrate over a long initial life of mine of 45 years.

Martin explains that the project’s high-grade deposit will produce a premium sealable monazite concentrate at 55% total Rare Earth Ore (TREO) grade, with no material deleterious elements and low levels of radionuclides (uranium and thorium).

He says: “We are delighted to have entered a long-term strategic partnership with Iluka, encompassing both cornerstone project funding and project offtake on binding terms. This is a pivotal milestone for Lindian and is a major step towards accelerating the development of Lindian’s globally significant Kangakunde rare earths project in Malawi.”

“These agreements will provide a multi-decade source of feed for Iluka’s Eneabba refinery facility in Western Australia, backed by the Australian Government. The floor price protection, no financial ratio covenants, and off-take linked terms are fit-for-purpose for the company, ensuring the long-term interests of shareholders are enhanced.”

“The funding and off-take agreements represent a major de-risking milestone for stage 1 of our Kangankunde Rare Earths Project, providing increased confidence for all our stakeholders by showing a clear pathway to production. The large stage 2 production expansion has also been significantly de-risked with Iluka having a Right of First Refusal (ROFR) for up to an extra 25,000 tonnes per annum of product if it makes an offer to fund 50% of capital cost.”

Rare earths are essential to modern economies with key applications across the automotive, robotics, energy and defence industry. There is currently a scramble for critical minerals such as rare earths globally with many countries encouraging local value addition to export high value minerals produced from the rare earth concentrate.

The Malawi Women in Mining Association (MAWIMA) has raised the alarm over the lack of clarity surrounding the country’s ongoing mining reforms, saying women miners remain in the dark about policies that are directly affecting their livelihoods.

“We heard there are reforms happening in the mining sector but when we visited mining districts and spoke to women, they said they have no idea what these reforms are about. That is why we decided to organize this workshop to get answers and ensure women are not left behind,” said outgoing president Emma Adam during a meeting MAWIMA organized in Lilongwe,

Adam also expressed concern about government ban on gemstone exports, which she said has affected many women-led mining businesses.

“This is our business. It is our bread and butter, and right now it is at a standstill because of issues that have not been clearly communicated to us,” she said.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including officials from the Ministry of Mining, the Malawi Mining Investment Company (MAMICO), and he Chamber of Mines and Energy. The discussions also highlighted critical issues such as illegal gold smuggling, market accessibility, and the role of women and youth in mining. Acting Director of Mines in the Ministry of Mining Mphatso Chikoti said the government has revised the Mines and Minerals Act to address many of the concerns raised, including those from women miners.

“This workshop came at the right time as we want to ensure the sector  reflects inclusivity. There are already legal frameworks that ensure women’s participation and we are strengthening them,” said Chikoti.

To address the rampant smuggling of gold and gemstones where an estimated 90% of Malawi’s gold is sold illegally leading to a loss of over $700 million annually, he said the Ministry is working with institutions such as the Export Development Fund (EDF) and Malawi Mining Investment Company (MAMICO) to create legal and accessible mineral markets across the country.

CEO of MAMICO Leornard Kalindakafe emphasized the importance of decentralizing gold-buying centers to curb smuggling and increase government revenue.

“It is not practical for someone from Karonga or Mzimba to travel all the way to Lilongwe just to sell gold. That is why we are setting up strategic markets countrywide to close these loopholes”, he said.

He said currently MAMICO is operating in four places as it investigates Malawi’s primary gold sources and it is also advocating for a more inclusive sector since 30% of miners are women and 48% are youth.

“It is a important that women and youth dominate the sector as women think of developing their households first so that is how we build the nation.”

Coordinator of the Chamber of Mines and Energy Grain Malunga said while the establishment of MAMICO is a step in the right direction, its focus needs to be in medium to large scale mining.

“The company should focus on medium- to large-scale mining where returns on investment are more visible. It also needs the financial muscle to acquire up to 40% or even 50% equity in mining ventures if we are to see meaningful national development.”

The workshop highlighted the urgent need for clear communication and inclusive policies in Malawi’s mining sector. Stakeholders agreed that empowering women and addressing illegal trade are key to unlocking the industry’s full potential.