Extractive sector stakeholders have issued a united call for stronger governance, safer mining practices and value addition in the sector, which is a key contributor to the country’s economy. The stakeholders that included government officials, donors, mining regulators, geologists and civil society organisations, issued the call during a Government and Extractive Stakeholders Engagement on Mining Compliance and Governance in Lilongwe on Wednesday. They argued that Malawi can no longer afford regulatory gaps that fuel illicit trade, loss of life and missed revenue opportunities.
In his keynote address, Norwegian Church Aid–Danish Church Aid country director Stefan Jansen said Malawi stands at a critical point as communities continue to face poverty, unsafe artisanal mining and opaque management of mineral licences and revenues. “Malawians are weary of poverty, inequality and the lack of meaningful benefits from our mineral wealth. We cannot remain silent while our people die not only in search of gold, but in pursuit of dignity, survival and justice,” he said.
Jansen welcomed Malawi government’s ban on the export of unprocessed minerals, but warned that Malawi urgently needs value-addition facilities to retain jobs and economic benefits. “A ban alone is not enough. We need efficient refining processes so that mineral wealth can create broad-based benefits, especially for our youth,” he said.
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In his remarks, Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining mining engineer George Maneya said government is developing policy measures aimed at strengthening community protections, improving environmental safeguards and ensuring that mining contributes sustainably to local development. He said: “Our discussions are important because we are giving solutions that involve government. “The country should be able to find jobs that are self-sustaining and ensure that the environment in which operations are carried out is taken care of.” On his part, Chamber of Mines and Energy national coordinator Grain Malunga called on ministries, departments and agencies to jointly regulate the sector to curb illegal operations.
“We have situations where illegal migrants are hiring local unskilled labour. Coordination between the Department of Immigration, the ministry and councils can help to end this,” he said. On revenue, Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation principal revenue economist Leonard Mushani urged government to enhance collaboration between the Geological Survey Department and Malawi Revenue Authority to close leakages. “We need to contain smuggling from artisanal miners,” he said.
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