Mining & Trade News

• Security officers detaining mineral samples destined for research laboratories

Malawi Government’s ban on the export of raw minerals has negatively impacted exploration projects for various minerals with security agents detaining samples destined for high-tech research laboratories in foreign countries.

Players in the sector have, therefore, asked the Malawi Government to expedite drafting of  terms of reference for the ban and sensitise the country’s security apparatus including the Immigration Department and Malawi Police Service to save exploration projects from collapsing as Malawi does not have internationally accredited laboratories to analyse mineral samples.

Local consulting firm H & B Consulting, which offers environmental and geological consulting services, says in a Press Statement that there is an urgent need for Government to address this practical challenge which is affecting students, researchers/scientists, and exploration companies and their agents.    

Executive Managing Partner for the group states: “Malawi currently lacks internationally accredited mineral testing and analytical laboratories capable of producing globally recognized analytical results. Consequently, mineral samples, sometimes as little as 50 grams per sample, are sent to certified laboratories abroad for geochemical, petrographic, mineralogical, metallurgical, or environmental analyses. These samples have no commercial value and are strictly for scientific, academic, and exploration decision making purposes; besides Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) collecting royalty on the same.”

“Arguably, in the absence of clear operational guidelines, regulations and processes, these scientific sample movements have been interpreted as “exportation of raw minerals,” resulting in halted research activities, delays in scientific studies, and suspended exploration programs. These unintended consequences risk slowing the sector’s development and undermining the very goal of value addition, which requires accurate scientific data before minerals can be processed locally.”

“As provided for under Section 4 of the Executive Order, which mandates the Ministry responsible for Mining to develop regulations, guidelines, and procedures for implementation, We at H&B Consulting humbly urges the Ministry to urgently develop and gazette clear procedures, regulations, and processes that distinguish prohibited commercial exports from scientific and analytical sample movements. These guidelines will ensure that the Executive Order achieves its intended purpose without disrupting the research, exploration, and academic activities that ultimately support mineral beneficiation, investment readiness, and national economic growth.”

Managing Director for Green Exploration, which is a subsidiary of ASX-listed DY6 Metals, Troth Saindi said samples from the company destined for a laboratory in South Africa that were sent through DHL last month remained detained by security agents at Bakili Muluzi International Airport in Blantyre. Saindi explained that he received a letter from the Malawi Mining and Mineral Resources Regulatory Authority explaining that prohibition of sample exports was not part of the Executive Order to ban raw mineral exports, which he presented to the authorities but were adamant to release the samples in so doing derailing the whole exploration venture.  

“I plead with the Malawi Government to immediately address the situation to allow progress of exploration projects because without exploration, there will be no mining.” Green Exploration is prospecting for critical minerals such as rare earths and niobium in several sites across Malawi including Machinga and Tundulu in Phalombe. Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Jean Mathanga said in an interview with state broadcaster Malawi Broadcasting Corporation that she met management of the MMRA and Malawi Mining Investment Company (MAMICO) to task them to formulate ways of implementing the mineral export ban.

Outgoing MMRA Director General Samuel Sakhuta has, meanwhile, sent a letter to key stakeholders including the Malawi Defence Force, the Malawi Police Service and Malawi Revenue Authority clarifying that exportation of samples for laboratory analysis is excluded from the ban. Sakhuta, who has been been replaced at MMRA by former Director of Mines Mphatso Chikoti  says in the letter that value added mineral products such as lime produced by Zalewa Lime Company are also excluded from the ban.

“Therefore, all officers responsible for controlling exports at exit points are requested to adhere to this clarification so that there is total compliance as required by the Law,” reads the letter. Coordinator for Chamber of Mines and Energy Grain Malunga said he engaged the Malawi Revenue Authority and MMRA on the issue.

“All is clear now about export of samples from exploration projects as long as they have all the necessary documentation from MRA and MMRA,” he said. The export ban has also impacted artisanal and small-scale miners who export gemstones for value addition in foreign countries as Malawi’s only lapidary operated by Small and Medium Enterprises Institute (SMEDI) lacks some essential equipment. President of the Federation of Artisanal and Small-scale Miners Percy Maleta lamented the implementation of the ban without prior stakeholder consultations saying current capacity and infrastructure are insufficient for large-scale processing and marketing of finished products.

“ASM should continue exporting rough minerals while gradually building capacity through training, technology transfer, and market development. Premature restrictions on rough exports could limit growth,” Maleta said. Mutharika states in the Executive Order that it is aimed at ensuring the sustainable development and utilization of the country’s mineral resources, and to promote the growth of the national economy through value addition and industrialization.

“The purpose of the Executive Order is to prohibit the exportation of raw minerals, promote local value addition, and ensure that our mineral resources contribute to the economic development and prosperity of our Malawi, “he says.

He explains that the order, which came into effect on October 21 this year shall apply to all minerals extracted in Malawi including but not limited to uranium, rare earth elements, niobium, graphite, tantalum, bauxite, coal, limestone, gemstones, heavy mineral sands, vermiculite, phosphate, pyriterutile, gold, diamonds and copper.

“The provisions shall not apply to minerals that have been processed, refined or value added in Malawi in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the mining sector,” states the Executive Order.

Authorities in Kasungu District have suspended Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) operations following a fatal accident at Chimbiya in Traditional Authority Chitanthamapiri, which claimed one life with eight others feared dead and buried in the rubble of the collapsed mine, and two seriously injured.

Deputy Public Relations Officer for Kasungu Police Miracle Hauli confirmed the dead as 34-year-old Moffat Nyirongo, and identified the injured two as Samson Phiri and Patrick Banda, who were all involved in gold mining at the site.

“It is true that one person has been found dead, while two others were injured and are receiving medical treatment at the district hospital,” Hauli said, and warned that anyone found engaging in illegal mining will face the full force of the law. Traditional Authority Chitanthamapiri confirmed the suspension of the ASM activities to Mining & Trade Review and expressed optimism that the suspension will help save lives.

“We have agreed to suspend all mining activities because the mining happening here is illegal. We have decided to impose the ban while the search operation for the missing miners is still underway,” he said.

He explained that the suspension takes immediate effect and that noEmining activities will be allowed until the missing bodies are recovered.

This year alone, more than 15 people have died in Kasungu District in accidents related to illegal mining. On October 10, two children aged 13 and 16 died at Kawonoko in the district, and barely a month ago eight ASMs lost their lives in a similar accident in Kasalika Village, Traditional Authority Suza’s area.

The Malawi Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority announced a suspension of ASM activities in Kasungu in October this year as a result of regular occurrence of mine accidents. However, ASMs, most of them without mining licenses or permits, are still conducting mining operations in the district mainly for gold with buyers including foreigners coming from afar to buy the precious mineral.

In accordance with the Mines and Minerals Act, 2023, (No. 25 of 2023), Section 35, any reconnaissance, prospecting, exploration, or mining without a valid mineral tenement or artisanal mining permit constitutes a criminal offence. Offenders are liable to a fine of K20,000,000 and imprisonment for up to four years and that courts may also order land rehabilitation, with costs recoverable as a debt to the government if the offender fails to comply.

The Malawi Mining Regulatory Authority (MMRA) says it is failing to overcome illegal gold mining in the country partly due to threats by members of the mining communities who it suspects are backed by influential politicians.

In a panel discussion at this year’s Malawi Alternative Mining Indaba, outgoing Director General for MMRA Samuel Sakhuta said some illegal gold mining hotspots areas have become no go zones for the Authority since the miners are too hostile to its officers.   Sakhuta also alleged that the Authority receives threats from influential politicians when it starts contending illegal miners in some hotpots.

He said the MMRA suspects that some influential politicians are sponsoring the illegal mining operations.

“It does not mean we have failed as a government or as a Ministry but this needs collaborative effort,” Sakhuta said.

Illegal gold mining emerged as the major topic at the Indaba following the tragic accident that happened in Kasalika village, Traditional Authority Suza in Kasungu District which led to the death of eight people and injured five others.

The situation forced the government to suspend all gold mining operations in the district with immediate effect. Coordinator for Chamber of Mines and Energy Grain Malunga advised government to come up with by-laws at district level to ensure that district councils are actively involved in all mining activities.

Malunga said by-laws will also help to establish good relationship between the District Council Government and communities. He said: “The communities need to understand that government visits the sites not to arrest them but to regulate the trade. The DC’s office has to create awareness and the Ministry just chips in to train them on sustainable practices.”

Concurring with Malunga, Programs Coordinator for Natural Resources Justice Network (NRJN) Joy Chabwera advised the new government to ensure that there is transparency in the sector. Apart from the suspension of all gold mining operations in Kasungu District, the government has banned export of raw minerals in order to promote local value addition and scale up benefits of the minerals sector to the local economy.

Yami Gemstone Lab & Exports (YAGLE) has been honored with the Mining SME of the Year Award at the inaugural Phuka Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Awards, organized by Standard Bank Malawi and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Institute (SMEDI). Speaking in an interview, YAGLE owner gemologist Yamikani Jimusole said that for YAGLE, the recognition is more than just a trophy but a national acknowledgment of its efforts to transform Malawi’s gemstone industry through ethical practices, transparency, and community empowerment. said Jimusole: “This award is a tremendous honor for YAGLE as it validates our dedication to promoting ethical, sustainable, and value-driven gemstone mining in Malawi.”

“Being the only nominee in the Mining SME category makes this milestone even more meaningful. It shows that our work in research, advocacy, and industry reform is being noticed at national level.”

He said YAGLE entered the gemstone sector with a vision to change the narrative of how gemstones are sourced, valued and traded in Malawi. The team was motivated by the lack of gemological expertise in the country, a gap that has long hindered Malawi’s ability to benefit from its rich mineral wealth. He also said that their early research revealed that while Malawi hosts over 25 gemstone varieties including rubies, sapphires, tourmaline, aquamarine, grandidierite and spinel most stones were being sold informally and undervalued.

Jimusole further explained that YAGLE’s work extends beyond research and exports. The company is also working to empower small-scale and artisanal miners who make up about 99 percent of the gemstone workforce in Malawi. Many of these miners operate with limited technical knowledge and lack formal training in gemology and lapidary work.  Jimusole said:.

“This is a challenge that YAGLE aims to tackle head-on. The company plans to offer free consultancy services and access to finance to help miners understand gemstone grading, market trends, and ethical sourcing practices.”

“We want to partner with local miners to ensure a consistent supply of quality gemstones while helping them get fair value for their work as through collaboration and shared growth, we can ensure that communities directly benefit from Malawi’s gemstone wealth.”

Despite the progress, Jimusole said that YAGLE still faces the common challenges in the country’s mining sector, including the lack of accredited laboratories and professional appraisers in Malawi. This forces many dealers to export gemstones without knowing their true market value, leading to massive losses for the country.

He explained that YAGLE is now studying detailed gemstone and appraisal reports from reputable international laboratories to guide the commercialization of its mines. It is also developing a comprehensive Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) to ensure compliance with both ­­local and international standards. Jimusole further said that YAGLE is exploring the use of blockchain technology to enhance transparency in gemstone sourcing and trading.

This move aligns with global standards set by organizations such as the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), and the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA).

“By integrating blockchain, we want to make Malawian gemstones traceable from mine to market. This will increase buyer confidence and ensure our stones meet international ethical sourcing requirements,” said Jimusole.

The company plans to establish a state-of-the-art gemstone laboratory and a Gemological and Entrepreneurship Institute in Malawi to promote education, certification and proper valuation of gemstones locally. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on foreign labs and keep more value within the country.

The newly launched report by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the umbrella of the Natural Resources Justice Network (NRJN) which scrutinized all eight Malawi Extractives Industry Transparency Initiative (MWEITI) reports has identified gaps that are leading to underperformance of the sector.  

The gaps include anomalies in extractive revenue collection, production figures, conflicting tables and narratives and, mining bias and corruption in granting licenses.

In an interview with Mining and Trade Review on the sidelines of the launch of the report, Governance and Policy Consultant Mabvuto Bamusi said in revenue collection, the reports show that no revenues were collected by government agencies during the 2014/2015 financial year.

Bamusi said some reports show misplaced percentages on revenues by the sector, wrong percentage contribution of each government entity and, that revenues generated by company and by region are different from the grand total revenues generated by government agencies. He also said in the 2014/15 and 2015/16 financial years, Department of Mines did disclose the exact types of minerals and quantity of minerals extracted which were less than the corresponding quantity and value.  

“Under the 4th MWEITI report of 2017/2018, the type and number of minerals extracted were less than the corresponding quantity and value.”

“The 4th MWEITI (2017/18) report shows that the mining and quarrying contributed MK12,107-billion yet the 5th MWEITI first fiscal year (2018/19) report shows that it contributed K12,104.”

“On the other hand, the 5th MWEITI (2018/19 and 2019/20) report show that the mining and quarrying sector contributed MK12,594-billion at 0.84% of GDP, yet the 6th MWEITI (2020/2021) report shows that it contributed K52,748-billion at 0.74% of GDP,” said Bamusi.

He said the MWEITI reports leave out the regulations and legislative frameworks that are applicable in the forestry, oil and gas, and transport and public works sectors. He also disclosed that number of licenses awarded to different companies throughout the years have been fluctuating. For instance, there were 335 licenses issued in 2017/2018, 306 in 2018/19, 239 in 2019/2020 and a staggering high of 663 licenses in 2020/2021.

Bamusi said: “Page 40 to page 42 of 2018/19 and 2019/20 5th report copied everything from the 2017/2018 4th report.”

“The MWEITI reports disclose that the Minister of Mining is granted power and authority to negotiate mining contracts and that the central government is in full control of the extractive industry.”

“The industry is captured by elite business and political interests and incidents of corruption in granting of licenses: given the case of Illomba Granite.”

Coordinator for NRJN Kennedy Rashid said moving forward, they will engage the government, civil society organisations and private sector to advocate for reforms in terms of transparency and accountability.  

Rashid said: “The next step is to advocate for reforms because you cannot just advocate for reforms without evidence. “The study was initiated to see what is going on, and then have a basis on how we can advocate for reforms in the mining sector especially on transparency and accountability.”

“We are working hand in hand with government under Open Government Partnership and EITI itself while we meet civil society actors, government agencies and private sector through Chamber of Mines and Energy.”

The then Acting Director for the Department of Mines in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Mphatso Chikoti, who is now Director General of MMRA, hailed the report and promised to take the recommendations on board.

ASX-listed Lindian Resources, which is pursuing the Kangankunde Rare Earth Prospecting Project in Balaka, says it is committed to address all the concerns raised by the local community on Kangankunde Project while continuing its corporate social investments in the district.

Lindian’s Kangankunde site manager Daniel Brits said the company is renovating Balaka District Council offices and has set aside funds to finance interventions in the education sector.

“We have budgeted about US$250,000 for the school project at Kangankhunde Primary School,” he said.

Meanwhile, upgrading of the access road to Kangankunde from M1 is about 90 percent complete and households situated close to the road were compensated and relocated. Lindian has also installed speed limit signs, with additional signage and speed humps planned in order to enhance safety.

In terms of dust pollution, a Balaka District Council monitoring report acknowledges that watering was initially inadequate, often limited to once a day or selected sections of the road. But the situation has since improved with Lindian now watering the whole road three times daily (morning, afternoon and evening) in order to avoid dust emissions.

The council report also indicates that Lindian has drilled new boreholes in surrounding households, easing pressure on existing water sources and improving access to clean water. It plans to plant trees along the road once the rainy season begins to reduce soil erosion and improve the general landscape around the mining site.

Despite these improvements, the report points out that the Community Grievance Redress Mechanism Committee is not functioning effectively as the committee needs re-orientation so that it can properly handle mining-related complaints and urges Lindian to strengthen collaboration with Area and Village Development Committees to ensure an inclusive and transparent process.

There is an outcry from different players in Malawi’s minerals sector following an Executive Order issued by State President Arthur Peter Mutharika banning the export of raw minerals.

Mutharika states in the Executive Order that it is aimed at ensuring the sustainable development and utilization of the country’s mineral resources, and to promote the growth of the national economy through value addition and industrialization.

“The purpose of the Executive Order is to prohibit the exportation of raw minerals, promote local value addition, and ensure that our mineral resources contribute to the economic development and prosperity of our Malawi, “he says.

He explains that the order, which came into effect on October 21 this year shall apply to all minerals extracted in Malawi including but not limited to uranium, rare earth elements, niobium, graphite, tantalum, bauxite, coal, limestone, gemstones, heavy mineral sands, vermiculite, phosphate, pyriterutile, gold, diamonds and copper.

“The provisions shall not apply to minerals that have been processed, refined or value added in Malawi in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the mining sector,” states the Executive Order.

But random interviews with stakeholders indicate that the order has heavily impacted on the minerals sector including  exploration firms mainly foreign investors who are failing to export samples for scientific studies outside the country.

Malawi does not have internationally accredited laboratories to conduct sample analysis hence exploration firms export samples for processing in laboratories outside the country.

The ban has also impacted Artisanal and Small-scale Miners (ASMs) mainly those dealing in gemstones. The ASMs send rough gemstones to different countries for value addition since Malawi lacks processing facilities with the lapidary in Mponela, Dowa not sufficiently equipped.

President of the Federation of Artisanal and Smallscale Miners Percy Maleta; whose organisation represents the Malawi Women in Mining Association, Gemstone Association of Malawi, Active Women in Mining Association, Gold Miners Association, Ceramics and Quarry Miners Association, and all other players in the subsector; said in an interview that supporting value addition and local mineral processing is welcome as it increases earnings for local miners.

He, however, lamented that current capacity and infrastructure are insufficient for large-scale processing and marketing of finished products.

“ASM should continue exporting rough minerals while gradually building capacity through training, technology transfer, and market development. Premature restrictions on rough exports could limit growth,” Maleta said.

However, two of the country’s publicly listed major resource firms said their projects will not be impacted by the export ban.

ASX-listed Sovereign Metals, which is pursuing the Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project in Lilongwe hosting the world’s largest rutile deposit and the second largest graphite deposit, explained in a Press Release that with regards to its future planned Kasiya operations, Sovereign has no plans to export run-of-mine Heavy Mineral Sands as defined in the Executive Order.

CEO and MD Frank Eagar, therefore, said the prohibition does not apply to the Company or the Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project as the ban only relates to minerals that have not been processed, refined, or value-added in Malawi.

He said: “All future mineralisation will be extracted and beneficiated in country to a final premium quality rutile (+95% TiO2) product. The high-quality Kasiya rutile product is planned to be a direct feedstock for titanium sponge production for high end titanium metal products, including aerospace and defence applications.”

“Similarly, Sovereign intends to process the run-of-mine Graphite as defined in the Executive Order in-country to produce a high-quality graphite product (96% C) suitable for major industry end markets including battery producers and refractory manufacturers. The Company continues to work with the Government of Malawi and the Malawi Mines Department for the ongoing development of the Kasiya Project.”

Another ASX-listed firm Lindian Resources, which is planning to export concentrate from the Kangankunde Rare Earth Project in Balaka considered one of the largest rare earths deposits in the world, said the Company will not be affected as it will process the ore to concentrate form, which is the highest level of beneficiation that is possible in Malawi.

But UK firm Mkango Resources, another firm planning to launch rare earth mining in Malawi at Songwe Hill in Phalombe, announced that it is planning to construct a refinery to process the ore and produce high value rare earth minerals within Malawi.

The Kayelekera Uranium Mine in Karonga, which is Malawi’s only large scale mine in production stage, has a processing plant in Karonga that produces the yellow cake which is hauled to convertors outside the country to produce nuclear fuel. ASX-listed Globe Metals & Mining also announced plans to establish a processing plant in Lilongwe for the Kanyika Project in Mzimba, which is pursuing a multi-commodity deposit that includes niobium, uranium, tantalum and zircon. Meanwhile, The President highlighted these strategic mining projects positioned to drive the nation’s growth and prosperity in his State of the Nation Address in Parliament in which he described mining as a priority sector.

“You may wish to know that Kayelekera Uranium Mine has resumed production. The Kanyika Niobium, Songwe Hill Rare Earths, and Kangankunde Rare Earths projects are advancing toward mine development. Meanwhile, feasibility work is in progress for the Kasiya Rutile and Graphite projects. These key initiatives will give a significant boost to our economy,” he said.

The President further announced that his government will establish a sovereign wealth fund to ensure that proceeds from mineral exports directly benefit the people of Malawi.

“Mr Speaker, Sir, if we get the economy right, we get everything else right,” he said.

The President also highlighted the significance of safeguarding critical minerals with more emphasis on the potential of deposits such as Kangankunde and Kasiya in his meeting with First Minister of Scotland John Swinney.

Malawi is endowed with large deposits of critical minerals including rutile, flake graphite, niobium and rare earths which are on high demand globally as they are important in the production of strong magnets important for the manufacture of electric vehicles, wind turbines and aerospace applications.

The Malawi Extractives Industry Transparency Initiative (MWEITI) has lamented lower compliance percentage from mining companies in submitting vital information as one of challenges impacting its mission to ensure transparency in the mining sector.

In an interview with Mining and Trade Review, MWEITI Secretariat Desk Officer Leonard Mushani proposed for enactment of a legal framework on EITI to hold companies accountable for any misconduct.

Mushani said: “There is a lower compliance percent of submitting data, templates, attending meetings and meeting various requirements by MWEITI.”

“This is so basically because there is no legal framework to support that, and the companies do not feel they are compelled to do that.”

“The answer is to have legal framework to this, which will include penalties and requirements for companies to submit data and documents directly.

” Mushani said MWEITI is considering to conduct general sensitization to ensure that the companies are fully aware and understand what EITI is all about.

The EITI Standard is a global benchmark for transparency and accountability in the oil, gas, and mining sectors. As a framework for disclosure and multi-stakeholder oversight, the EITI Standard is designed to; empower governments, industry and civil society to promote understanding of natural resource management and; strengthen public and corporate governance and accountability; and provide the data to inform policymaking and debate.

However, reacting to the development, Mining Expert and MD for Chiwandama Geo Consultants John Nkhoma advised MWEITI to scale up engagement with the companies. Nkhoma also advocated for legal framework to govern the works of MWEITI so that it becomes fully mandated.

“I think there is need to rethink MWEITI. They should not be doing things as if they have all powers. This was started by overzealous individuals and now the institution is operating as if they were fully mandated to do so,” said Nkhoma.

Concurring with Nkhoma, Coordinator for Chamber of Mines and Energy Grain Malunga said the challenge on non-compliance can only be dealt with if MWEITI becomes a legal entity. He said: “it is difficult for the Chamber to help in addressing this.  

The Chamber has only 16 companies as members while the country has over 50 explorations and mining companies.” “MWEITI is a non-legal entity and membership to the Chamber is voluntary and this poses a challenge in terms of legal compliance.”

“Formalisation of MWEITI as a legal entity and increased membership of the Chamber will help promote transparency and accountability on revenue transactions in the mining sector and make MWEITI more effective.”

Apart from non-compliance, MWEITI continue to suffer from the problem of inadequate financial resources to intensify information dissemination; enforcement of accountability requirements and; political will sustainability where they complain that politicians are fond of stopping what others started. Malawi became a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in October 2015 and to date has managed to produce eight EITI reports.

Stakeholders in the extractives sector have welcomed the newly appointed Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Honourable Jean Mathanga MP wishing her success in transforming the sector into a key economic enabler as defined in Malawi 2063.

A number of key stakeholders have conveyed best wishes to the new Minister including the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining itself, Malawi Mining and Mineral Resources Regulatory Authority, Malawi Mining Investment Company, Mkango Resources, Trinity Ventures, Cement Products, Crown Minerals. Terrastone, Sovereign Metals, Lotus Resources, DY6 Metals, Globe Metals and Mining, Akatswiri Mineral Resources, Equipment & Parts, and Shayona Cement Corporation.

The office of the President and Cabinet announced Mathanga’s appointment on October 30, 2025 in State President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s full cabinet list.

The appointment came after Mutharika had instituted a ban on the exportation of raw minerals from Malawi which has hit hard exploration companies that export samples for processing in laboratories outside Malawi and small-scale miners who export rough gemstones.  

Coordinator for Chamber of Mines and Energy Grain Malunga in an interview asked the Minister to ensure that she understands the process of mineral resource development and the role of sampling in discovering a mineral deposit. “The issue of samples and export of raw minerals such as gemstones are a big challenge for Malawians to understand,” he said.

Project Exploration Geologist [Africa] for DY6 Metals Geoffrey Chimzimu Banda commented that it is important for government to continue implementing some of the productive initiatives left by the previous administration such as supporting the work of Malawi Mining Investment Company (Mamico) to ensure sustainable mineral resource management. Banda said in order to ensure transparency and accountability, the government should employ qualified geologists to monitor and police mineral activities along the country’s borders and airports to curb illegal mineral smuggling and ensure that all mining operations comply with national laws and environmental standards.

He said: “Furthermore, the government should encourage mineral exploration by supporting geological surveys and creating a conducive environment for international investors to attract foreign direct investment, generate revenue, and expand employment opportunities within the sector.”

­­“It is also crucial for the government to engage all stakeholders and clarify its position on current mining bans, ensuring that decisions are informed by technical expertise. Mining is a sensitive and strategic industry; therefore, professional geologists, mining engineers, and environmental experts must be involved in the decision-making process.”

“In addition, the government should invest in civic education on mining to promote public understanding of the sector’s importance and challenges. Introducing mining as a subject in secondary schools would be a strategic step towards early awareness, capacity building, and skill development. Employing young geologists and mining engineers as educators would not only enhance awareness but also create much-needed jobs for graduates in these fields.”  

Taxation Experts urged government to review the statutory fiscal regime for the mining sector and ensure that it does not open it for project level negotiations as was the intention in 2016 when Malawi’s fiscal regime was amended.

“By ensuring that the fiscal regime is determined by the law as is the case in Zambia, Chile and Australia, there will be greater revenue certainty for the government, lower risk of protracted negotiations and unnecessary tax exemptions and better stability and security,” said a commentator Rachel Etter Phoya.

Investors from India asked the Government to sign a double taxation treaty with India in order to prevent the taxation of the same income in both countries, which is a stumbling block for investment in Malawi.

President of the Federation of Artisanal and Small-scale Miners in Malawi (FASM} Percy Maleta asked the new administration to support Artisanal and Small-scale Miners saying ASMs retain most proceeds within Malawi, stimulate local employment, and increase government revenue.

Maleta said: “Supporting local value addition is welcomed as it increases earnings for local miners but current capacity and infrastructure are insufficient for large-scale processing and marketing of finished products.”

“ASMs should continue exporting rough minerals while gradually building capacity through training, technology transfer, and market development. Premature restrictions on rough exports could limit growth.”­

Chairperson for Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) Robert Mkwezalamba urged the new Minister to bring order in the sector in line with Mines and Minerals Act (2023) so that those doing illegal mining are clearly identified while the government is trying to set up itself.

Coordinator for Natural Resources Justice Network (NRJN) Kennedy Rashid called on the new Minister to make natural resources work for all Malawians through transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. Rashid also called for urgent reforms in the mining sector by strengthening institutional capacity, streamlining licensing to support ASMs, and ensuring contract and revenue disclosure by championing the Extractives Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI).

He said: “We further advise prioritizing community benefits, strict environmental stewardship, and meaningful public participation. The current government needs to work on the policies and laws in the extractives sector to align with Malawi 2063 Vision, African Green Minerals Strategy and the Africa Mining Vision.”

“By doing so, Malawi can transform its mineral wealth into a genuine driver of sustainable and equitable national development.” He also appealed to the new Minister to ensure that she prioritizes building an enabling environment in the extractives sector, mainstreaming value realization, and developing strong revenue management systems.

Southern Region Leader for National Youth in Mining (NAYOMI) Aubrey Duwa appealed to the new Minister to consider giving the youth training and loans in order to operate legally in the sector. Duwa said many youths in the sector are considered illegal operators due to lack of resources to undergo all registration processes.

Duwa said: “We need training and loans so that we are able to pay for certification and then mine from the point of registration with the activity well regulated.”

“Is not that the youth are not interested to formally operate but we are lacking support and the new Minister needs to make sure that the youth are getting all needed support to ensure that before venturing into actual mining, they go through all registration processes.”

“We also dream of advancing to start using machinery for instance to start using water pumps other than moving water in buckets.”   A survey by MAMICO established that youth and women dominate the ASM subsector contributing 78 percent.