LEAD OCCURRENCE IN MALAWI

Dr Grain W. P. Malunga FIMMM

Minerals, Mining, Environment and Corporate Services Advisor

ABSTRACT

Lead in Malawi occurs in form of galena. The most prospective area is Central Malawi where several exploration companies are active. The galena is found in pegmatites and quartz rocks.

INTRODUCTION

Lead commonly occurs in mineral deposits associated with copper and zinc. Silver has also been associated with lead and can be an important by product. The metal is bluish grey in colour and has a metallic lustre. It has a specific gravity of 11.34. Its found in association with sulphur/sulphate and carbonates. The main lead ores are galena (PbS), cerussite (PbCO3) and anglesite (PbSO4) (Figure 1). Its main origin is therefore either of hydrothermal or of sedimentary.

Figure 1: Lead Ores (galena, cerussite and anglesite)

LEAD OCCURENCE

Limestone and dolostone have hosted pockets of argentiferous galena, cerussite and sphalerite while Precambrian to early Cambrian rocks, popularly known as basement rocks, have also hosted the mineral. In Malawi most prospective rock types are pegmatites, graphitic granulites, schists, quartzites and nepheline gneiss. Some occurrences have been observed in Nsanje, Ntcheu, Mchinji, Lilongwe, Dowa and Mzimba (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Malawi Lead Prospect Areas

LEAD TENEMENTS

Several licences (Table 1) have included lead as one of the prospective minerals alongside gold, graphite, niobium, silver and zinc. Dowa area has mining claims and several applications awaiting approval. The Malawi Mining cadastre shows 9 active licences and 8 applications pending approval. These include small scale mining licences.

CONCLUSION

Malawi has potential for economic discovery of lead deposits, especially galena. Central Malawi has the highest potential in pegmatites, graphitic granulites, schists and quartzites. Southern Nsanje has nepheline gneiss while Tsangano area shows potential in Chongwe schist.

The demand for lead is in the production of motorized vehicles (lead-acid batteries), ammunitions, radiation shielding in medical analysis and video display equipment. Use of lead as additive in petrol has also contributed to an increase in its demand.

There is informal galena mining in Dowa – Salima area and being exported to countries such as Israel and China. The value of exports are not known and there is need for Geological Survey Department to take an active role in establishing the resource potential of these areas before they can attract serious private sector investment.

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