Mining
Chamber of Mines explains delays in commissioning large scale mines
March 19, 2025 / Admin
Malunga calls for collaboration between mining companies and government agencies
By Vincent Chege
With Malawians eager to see large scale mines coming on stream to start generating foreign exchange and help ease its acute shortage, the Chamber of Mines and Energy says the companies are taking their time to start production at the mines in order to minimise risks and ensure long-term sustainability.
Globally, large scale mining projects take an average of 18 years from discovery to production, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence 2023, but in Malawi this process is taking up to 27 years for some deposits.
Grain Malunga, Coordinator for the Malawi Chamber of Mines and Energy, says this extended timeline allows for more thorough geological assessments, reducing the chances of costly mistakes.
“The longer and thorough exploration of projects improves quality and accuracy of results and reduces project risks,” Malunga said.
He explained that by taking time to confirm the viability of mineral deposits, Malawi ensures that only well-planned and economically feasible projects move forward, preventing resource overestimation and premature abandonment of mines.
Despite these advantages, Malunga acknowledged that prolonged development phases pose challenges.
“Demand and commodity price is cyclic. New replacement products can evolve,” he said.
“This means that by the time a project reaches production, the global market for that particular mineral may have shifted, potentially affecting its profitability.”
To improve efficiency while maintaining sustainability, Malunga suggested stronger collaboration between mining companies and government agencies.
“To enhance mining exploration, Malawi mining companies should work with the Geological Survey Department in mineral resource mapping and evaluation,” he said.
He further emphasized that companies should focus on industrial minerals, which can contribute to economic growth through import substitution and value addition.
Malawi is endowed with different types of minerals including rare earths, uranium, coal, titanium, gemstones, graphite, marble, gold, phosphates, bauxite. galena, niobium and gypsum.
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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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