Mining
Govt. challenges industry on mining jobs creation
May 06, 2024 / TAYANJAH-PHIRI
Amidst concerns that graduates in mining related courses in Malawi universities and colleges are not being properly utilised locally, the government has challenged the private sector to scale up job creation.
Several mining related courses were introduced in Malawian universities and colleges several years ago under the World Bank and European Union funded Mining Governance & Growth Support Projects but there are grave concerns from stakeholders that the sector is failing to create jobs for the graduates leaving many jobless.
But in her response to a Mining & Trade Review questionnaire, Ministry of Mining Spokesperson Tiwonge Kampondeni said the courses are relevant and in line with the current trend in the mining sector.
“Government cannot employ all graduates. The private sector – which is touted as the engine for development – should create such jobs,” she said.
However, Kampondeni said it is envisaged that once large-scale mining takes place, many graduates will be employed.
Apart from the newly introduced mining related courses at MUST and MUBAS, the University of Malawi (Chancellor College) is also providing courses in geology, according to Kampondeni.
She said: “As for skills development, we are working with the Ministry of Labour through Technical Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) and Zantchito Skills for Development Project, under the British Council.”
“Ngala College has already started offering some of the courses that we need. Research has shown that one engineer needs 4 technicians and over 15 artisans.”
Kampondeni said the Ministry has intensified training programmes in the sector in response to increased small-scale mining ventures in the country
“We are engaging communities within the mining areas to formalise their activities,” said Kampondeni.
She explained that the government will continue to formalise small-scale mining through the formulation of cooperatives.
Recently, gold deposits were discovered by locals in areas around Milepa in Chiradzulu stretching to other areas in Zomba and Mulanje, along the banks of Namadzi River and other nearby streams.
The small scale miners interviewed in the areas complained that they lack proper detection and mining equipment, pleading with the government to come in and assist.
But Kampondeni said the role of government is only to provide a conducive environment for the private sector to perform.
I doubt if the Government can procure equipment for all miners looking at the Government resource envelope and competing needs,” she said.
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Rehabilitation:
The establishment of a stable and self-sustaining ecosystem, but not necessarily the one that existed before mining began. In many cases, complete restoration may be impossible, but successful remediation, reclamation, and rehabilitation can result in the timely establishment of a functional ecosystem.
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Remediation:
The cleanup of the contaminated area to safe levels by removing or isolating contaminants. At mine sites, remediation often consists of isolating contaminated material in pre-existing tailings storage facilities, capping tailings and waste rock stockpiles with clean topsoil, and collecting and treating any contaminated mine water if necessary.
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