Monica on Tour25 Oct 2023 18:07
Mining key in socio-economic growth
Minister of Mining Honourable Monica Chang’anamuno has said the Government of Malawi recognises mining as one of the key growth sectors that can significantly contribute to the socio-economic growth and development of the country.
Honourable Chang’anamuno was speaking in Tanzania on Wednesday at the official opening ceremony of the Tanzania Mining and Investment Forum (TMIF) which was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Doto Betiko on behalf of Tanzania’s President Her Excellency Dr Samia Suluhu.
The Minister said as a sign of commitment to developing the mining sector, the Government of Malawi under the dynamic leadership of Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has singled out mining as one of the drivers of change, economic development, wealth and employment creation for the people of Malawi.
“In this view, for the first time, a standalone Ministry of Mining was established in 2020. This is further pronounced in the Malawi Vision 2063 where mining is prominent under Pillar 11 (Industrialisation),” Chang’anamuno said.
Currently, mining contributes 1% to the country’s Growth Domestic Product. However, the sector has huge potential to contribute to the development of the country.
“The sector’s annual growth trajectory is pegged at 10% to 15% when all the quick-win mining projects become operational,” she added.
However, the Minister called upon investors to come and invest in the mining sector saying most of the minerals are yet to be adequately explored and sustainably exploited for the economic development of Malawi.
The minerals include Rare Earth Elements, Niobium, Uranium, Coal, Bauxite, Lithium, Graphite, Limestone, Copper, Phosphate, Apatite, Rutile, Titanium, Gold, Gypsum, Nickel, Iron, Dimension stones such as sodalite, Granite, lithium among others.
The Minister thanked the United Republic of Tanzania for inviting the Malawi delegation to the conference saying the gesture demonstrates the deep commitment that the government of the Republic of Tanzania has in strengthening the closer collaboration in the mining sector.
She said there is a lot that Malawi and Tanzania can together share as they strive to develop the sector for the betterment of our nations in terms of wealth and job creation.
“As African countries, we need to strengthen our collaboration in the mining sector. As a region, we need to share knowledge and benefit our minerals in our own countries. We can also leverage the competitive advantage of one member state by utilising machinery or processing plants available in that country,” Chang’anamuno said.
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