Mining & Trade News

The Ministry of Mining says the revision of the Explosives Act (Cap. 14:09 of 1968) is in final stages, and the remaining processes include inter-ministerial consultations and finalization meetings with the Ministry of Justice to prepare the Bill for submission to Cabinet and later Parliament.

Responding to a written questionnaire, Public Relations Officer for the Ministry Tiwonge Kampondeni told Mining and Trade Review that the Ministry already submitted a funding proposal for the final activities to facilitate completion of the process to the Ministry of Finance in April 2025.

Kampondeni said: “The Ministry of Mining has been leading the review and modernization of the Explosives Act of 1968 and the process of revising the Act is now at an advanced stage.”

“A draft Explosives Bill and its subsidiary Regulations have already been developed, validated through stakeholder consultations held in Mulanje, Dowa, and Nkhatabay, and subsequently submitted with drafting instructions to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for final legal drafting and processing.”

The proposed Explosives Bill introduces several important reforms intended to align Malawi’s explosives management regime with modern mining, safety, and environmental standards. Some of the notable changes include: introduction of new types of licences and permits including for manufacturing, importation, disposal, and fireworks.

Kampondeni said the new Act will also introduce standardized forms for licence and permit applications as well as revision and rationalization of licence and permit fees through an updated fee schedule.

She explained: “The new Act will also include mandatory record-keeping requirements for all holders of licenses and permits; qualification and experience standards for persons authorized to handle or use explosives including loosely, certification process like shot firers and magazine masters.”

“It will also enhance safety, environmental protection, and incident reporting provisions and establish a Directorate of Explosives and an Explosives Committee to strengthen institutional oversight.”

Kampondeni said the Ministry is optimistic that the modernization of the Explosives Act will have significant positive impacts on the mining sector and related industries.

She said the new Law will promote safe and responsible use of explosives, reducing risks to workers, the public, and the environment.

Kampondeni explained that the modern Act will enhance efficiency in licensing and regulation, providing clear procedures and timeframes for approval and renewal. She said: “The new Act will encourage professional competence among users through defined qualification standards and also facilitate compliance with environmental and occupational safety regulations, supporting sustainable mining practices.”

“It will also strengthen law enforcement and accountability through higher penalties, defined offences, and corporate responsibility provisions.”

“Overall, the revised legal framework will create a safer, more transparent, and more efficient operating environment for the mining sector, while ensuring that Malawi’s regulatory systems remain current and internationally competitive.”

For over 57 years now, Malawi’s extractives sector has been using the old Explosives Act which includes laws that do not align with the current mining status. Stakeholders including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have been advocating for Government to fast track the process of reviewing the Act.

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