Mining
Artisanal miner authors book on gold mining
July 21, 2025 / Patrick Lunda
Arthur King Nguluwe
Although there is not much known about gold deposits in Malawi, the country has a number of areas where gold panning is taking place. This has promoted an artisanal entrepreneur in mining industry Arthur King Nguluwe to write a book titled 'How To Identify Areas That Contain Gold. Our Reporter Patrick Lunda engaged him to learn more about the book. Here is an excerpt;
What inspired you to write and publish the book?
Originally, I never intended the book to be out for public consumption nor for academic digestion. It was, initially, my short notes I was writing as part of my experiences and excursions in gold mining fields. Whenever I visited a site whether to mine, buy or sell, I would be curious with the environment, earth structures, soil colours, the rocks around, and gems associated. After several visits and experiences, I came to the conclusion that gold occurs frequently almost in the same earth conditions. Where gold lays, same geological signs keep appearing over and over. Therefore, when I visit a new place somewhere pre-mined I should easily identify a gold deposit and pioneer mining activities without the use of detectors, excavators and other sophisticated machines. Then I thought perhaps this is the way ancient people, before industrial revolution found gold deposits before detecting technology came up.
How long did it take to write the book?
It took me over three weeks to compile all information in it which was, however, a product of years of actual boots-on-ground field work, observation and self-study. I visited multiple gold mining sites in Malawi, such as Lilongwe, Nkhotakota, and Blantyre where I successfully concluded that, "The earth whispers the same language in light of where gold is hidden regardless of mineral detectors".
How will the book help in the mining sector?
In simple narrative, just like you do not have to be an Economist to understand Forex Trading, the same way you do not have to be a Mining Engineer or certified Geologist to find gold. A few learned skills are enough thus the purpose of this book. How much is a copy selling and where can one buy? It is initially pegged at K10,000. A figure easily reachable by an average Malawian but information therein, priceless, served as a gift to the miner in pursuit of financial freedom. When the official launch day of the book will be established, shops and centres of sale shall be declared publicly.
What is your profession?
Professionally, I am an entrepreneur, with focus in selling industrial mining equipment i.e Gold detectors, melting furnaces etc, consultation on small scale gold mining and its associative activities.
What is your academic background?
Surprisingly, I did not study Geology or Mining Engineering, I self-studied about minerals and mining for a little over 4 years. Nevertheless, I studied Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from University of Malawi class of 2018. With a 15-points MSCE certificate from Mitundu Secondary School class of 2012. I did my Primary School Education at Lilongwe Christian Private School class of 2008.
Have you authored books before?
No, this is my first book to write and hopefully will be writing more mini books in the series of mining and exploration, books aimed at simplifying complex geological jargons to accommodate the less educated and lazy to read. Of course, more in the vernacular will be coming. There have been enquiries on the book even before being published.
What does this mean to you?
It simply means a lot of people are now being interested in gold mining now than ever before. They could not find a way to understand about it but now a solution has come up readily. The usual questions a beginner asks are, "Where do I find gold?" So this book has really answered the question directly by describing five indicators you can know that a land holds gold. Secondly, many people do not know how gold looks like in its native form, only from internet or AI-generated images which can be misleading. So, I have also included pictures of raw gold, rocks that contain gold and possible sites you can find it right here in Malawi.
Why did you decide to author a book specifically to do with gold?
Firstly, it is the most sought-after mineral in Malawi with a ready buyer (Export Development Fund). If a miner finds some, he will not have troubles selling it. Lastly, It is the easiest to recognise once you know what it is. "A golden metallic heavy flake or 'stone'. It is unlike gemstones which can have same colour but different names and identities.
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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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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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