Mining & Trade News

Local Artisanal and Small Scale Miners (ASMs) have called for an immediate end of the export ban for raw minerals.

Percy Maleta, President of the Federation of Artisanal and Small Scale Miners in Malawi (FASMIM), said the ban has heavily impacted on their trade due to lack of beneficiation facilities in Malawi, which is making export of gemstones impossible.

 “The ban has caused serious harm: lost livelihoods for ASM miners, collapsed contracts, increased smuggling risks, loss of government revenue, and reduced business for logistics companies. The gemstone subsector has been pushed years backward,” Maleta said.

He said Government’s inaction over the issue, despite repeated pleas from the ASMs to lift the ban, has left miners and dealers in a state of uncertainty stressing on the importance of the Ministry responsible for mining to actively engage with players in the sector including ASMs.

“We respect the role of government in regulating the sector. However, regulation must be guided by facts, consultation, and timely communication. We respectfully urge the Ministry to engage the sector, provide an update, and outline a clear way forward,” he said.

Flore-Annie Kamanga, President of the Federation of Women and Youth in Mining (FWYM), expressed concern over lack of clear timelines, transparent reform benchmarks, and structured engagement with ASMs which has left miners in suspense.

 Kamanga said “We call for renewed dialogue, clear timelines, and practical solutions that protect livelihoods while strengthening oversight. The future of the gemstone industry depends not on prolonged bans, but on inclusive, transparent, and accountable regulation.”

In an interview with Mining and Trade Review, MD for Perekezi ASM Consultants Chikomeni Manda also bemoaned government’s unwillingness to respond to ASM’s concerns.

“The small scale miners through various associations have raised a lot of queries with the Ministry even trying to meet the Minister but have not been accorded a chance to be heard. The issue is being overlooked but the impact is very huge” Manda said He expressed concern that the government appears to neglect ASM miners, despite their potential to contribute significantly to the national economy.

 “The government has lost billions in taxes and royalties due to the ban, and smuggling of gemstones to neighbouring countries continues. Legal miners are struggling because they have stockpiled gemstones that they cannot export because international buyers cannot access Malawi’s market. Meanwhile, illegal traders are selling locally and crossing borders with impunity, fuelling corruption,” Manda said.

The ban has fueled undocumented cross border trade, a situation that undermines the very objectives of the suspension by resulting in loss of revenue for the state.

The message from the sector is unequivocal: Engage miners in meaningful dialogue, lift the export ban, restore confidence, and enable the gemstone industry to operate freely once again. 

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