Mining & Trade News

With no mining history, Malawi had a serious shortage of professionals in this blossoming sector. However, this is now history thanks to the intervention of the Malawi University of Science and Technology [MUST] which is complimenting other universities such as Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences and University of Malawi in moulding professionals for the sector.

In an exclusive interview with Mining & Trade Review, Lecturer in Earth Sciences at MUST Ellasy Gulule Chimimba said the existing cordial relation between their training institution and the industry offers hope that graduates from the institution will continue to be relevant to the industry and the nation.

She explained that the relationship between the institution and the mining industry is one of collaboration and mutual benefit.

Said Chimimba: “As MUST, we recognise the importance of bridging academia and practice to address the changing demands of the mining sector. We constantly interact with the industry and government institutions in the industry to give guest lectures at MUST, collaborate in research projects, and place students in work integrated learning to gain industry experience.”

“There are many stakeholders who play a very crucial role in accommodating our students as part of their industrial attachments. This has greatly helped our students to gain professional experience in various fields,” said Chimimba, hailing the existing cooperation, which she said has ably helped yield a positive impact of MUST to the industry.

The stakeholders that MUST collaborate with include the Geological Survey and Mines Departments, Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority, National Oil Company of Malawi, Mota Engil, and World Vision. These stakeholders have also played a key role in assisting in the development of the various curricula at MUST.

MUST’s programs on geology and mining include Bachelor of Science Degree in Earth Sciences that started in 2015, BSc in Geographic Information and Earth Observation Science that started in 2016 and BSc in Petroleum Geo-science (oil and gas).  

“So we do much in exploration geology, hydro-geology (water), remote sensing (with drone academy as part of it), and Petroleum,” she said.

Chimimba added that the degree in Earth Sciences (Geology) aims to produce geologists who understand geological processes; formation, exploration, and exploitation of mineral resources; environmental and social issues in governing mineral resources; business management and entrepreneurship; and who can apply gained skills and knowledge in solving problems related to geo-sciences and mining.

She, however, cited resource constraints as one of the major challenges especially in undertaking research in critical areas including development of curriculum for postgraduate programs.

“But we are slowly enhancing our capacity by prioritising our resources. In addition, MUST has a new strategic plan that is focusing on diversifying the university’s income sources through research, innovations and commercialization. For instance, we are producing some products such as maize flour, that are on the market – all aimed at complementing the available resources,” explained Chimimba, adding that MUST graduates can ably be  utilized by the industry through a combination of enhanced skills development, industry exposure, and collaborative partnerships.  

“We get continuous feedback and industry collaborations to ensure that our graduates are being utilized to their full potential, and that any gaps in their preparation for the workforce are promptly addressed,” she said, adding that through the Jobs4Youth Project that was funded by African Development Bank, MUST trained youths in small scale mining and gemstone value addition.

“In addition, the petroleum geosciences section within the earth sciences hired a consultant who performed the due diligence on the petroleum exploration and drilling data for an investment project for Press Trust. The exercise was a success, and an investment decision was adopted,” she said.

Government introduced mining related courses in the universities several years ago under the World Bank funded Mining Governance and Growth Support Project; but despite the courses producing the graduates, creation of jobs for the graduates has been a challenge.

Coordinator for Chamber of Mines and Energy Grain Malunga told Mining & Trade Review that “Government is delaying in concluding Mining Development Agreements (MDAs) with resource firms thereby delaying job creation.”

He, therefore, said despite that the courses in the selected universities and colleges are relevant to the industry, there is limited internship opportunities due to lack of relevant operating mines as a result of the delays in signing the MDAs.

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