Mining & Trade News

Doing gemstone mining business is not for faint-hearted individuals as it takes patience and resilience for one to 'discover' the precious mineral ores for the market.

The process is hectic, labourious and energy-sapping as the miner must be physically and mentally fit.

The mining task is almost akin to the age-old phenomenon of treasure hunting, which is the pursuit of hidden wealth.

In Malawi, in which gemstone mining is not fully a well-structured industry in comparison to neighbouring countries such as Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania, it is mainly done by small-scale artisanal miners and is mainly dominated by men who are naturally weather-battered.

But a young lady Jayne Chapomba has defied the odds. Jayne, who was raised in a mining family with her father a gemstone miner, followed her heart to take up mining as a business when she was just 19 years old.

Now at 32, It has paid off. Jayne has been one of successful artisanal miners and traders with her company registered under El Minerals Jayne Chapomba Gemstones.

"I have grown up seeing stones and having a father who always travelled to the mines. I took keen interest to know what really happens there. Seeing different types of stones every day motivated me to know the source and how it is done. I was always used to my father, who has been in the mining industry for 50 years now, how they do it. He could only explain but I wanted to see the exact thing. That is how I started."

Being a middle-aged lady and venturing into mining entrepreneurship, which is not only taxing but also least expected of a lady of that age, has made her grow a thick skin.

Said Chapomba: "Mining business has made me grow a lot as a person. I am very streetwise because of this business. It is not for faint-hearted individuals. I have gained a lot of knowledge over the years, among others, on how to mine. What is the season of mining? What are the signs that the land has precious stones buried underneath? I normally go to prospect before mining."

Commenting on what does mining entail, she says it involves extracting gems and precious stones from the earth for purposes of jewelry while others keep in their belief that some stones have healing powers to chase bad luck.

Chapomba says mining is rewarding and has enabled her acquire property which she would not have managed. She has also used earnings to invest in other business ventures.

Apart from her own socio-economic development, the former local tennis star says mining has helped her create job opportunities.

"Mining is very sophisticated indeed. I am currently operating alone. Of course. under my father's guidance. But I have 40 employees in Nsanje, Ntcheu six, Mzimba 12. There are also employees in Lilongwe and Balaka where I also operate."

The outspoken entrepreneur, who studied business and marketing, says she has big plans to invest more in mining. She is also studying gemology with a South African University. Chapomba urges those who are in the industry or aspirants to register their firms for them to benefit more.

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