Mining & Trade News

The Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority (MMRA) says it will not hesitate to grant a large-scale mining licence to Australia’s Lindian Resources for Kangankunde Rare Earth tenement in Balaka if the technical data submitted by the Company qualifies the project under the existing law governing the sector. the Mines and Minerals Act 2023.

MMRA says this in a letter responding to the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative (CBEDI) Executive Director Silvester Namiwa who wrote the Authority demanding that it grants a large-scale mining licence to the Australian firm which is currently running the project using a medium scale mining licence.

The Mines and Minerals Act mandates a large-scale mining licence operator to sign a Mining Development Agreement (MDA) with government that specifies benefits for the mining company and the host nation from a mine. Government has the mandate to acquire minority shareholding in a large scale mine based on the MDA. Such attributes do not apply to a medium scale mining licence.

MMRA explains that Lindian is using the licence that it acquired from a local company Rift Valley Resources whose activities that time did not apply for a large-scale mining licence.

It states: “The Authority strongly refutes any suggestions that licensing decisions were made through secret agreements for the benefit of certain individuals. Should the project ultimately qualify, or be required to hold a large-scale mining licence, the full suite of protections and benefits available under the Act, Community Development Agreements and enhanced reporting obligations will apply.”

The Authority explains that based on the Law any upgrade from medium to large scale mining licence will require a fresh application from the Company for a large-scale mining licence, submission of full feasibility study meeting the requirements stated in the Act, revised environmental impact assessments and approvals and a government ownership interest agreement.

We appreciate the response by Lindian Resources and its partner Rift Valley Resource Developments to our opinion article on Kangankunde Rare Earth Mining project published on Mining & Social Issues column in mid April 2026 Edition. It is indeed important for Lindian to explain the topical issues raised in the article as Malawians are interested to get updates on Kangankunde, expected to be the first rare earth mine in Malawi, with the country rich in these globally important elements.

As Lindian quarries in its response, indeed no government nor Lindian official is quoted in the article. But we feel there is nothing wrong here because this is basically an opinion article published in an opinion column where members of the community including guest columnists discuss issue of public interest concerning the minerals sector.

What is important is that Lindian has confirmed the issues raised in the article namely its use of a medium scale mining licence, giving allowances to government officials and purchasing a refinery for Kangankunde rare earths in Kazakhstan.

Though we are aware of the provision for freedoms of the press, opinion and expression in the Republican constitution, we understand that we are merely scribes hence do not have the expertise to contend with Lindian lawyers led by Dr Kaphale.  We will, therefore, not risk arguing on the legal issues raised by the learned lawyers in their scrutiny of the said article.

However, we hail Lindian Resources for justifying the utilisation of the medium scale mining licence to manage Malawi’s globally-significant resource and purchasing a refinery to process Kangankunde concentrate in Kazakhstan other than setting up a refinery in Malawi understanding the higher costs of a large-scale mining investment compared to medium scale and the setting up of a local refinery compared to utilisation of an already developed facility in Kazakhstan.

These cost saving measures are crucial to generate the returns for investment including interest from Kangankunde for investors in Lindian who are mainly from Australia and the West.

We understand that these investors are eagerly waiting for returns from Kangankunde as some of them have invested their life time savings including pension funds and terminal benefits from employers.

But it must also be noted that there are Malawians in Kangankunde and surrounding villages failing to make ends meet.  Malawians at large also have great expectations on the project with the country struggling with shortage of foreign exchange.

It is, therefore, important for Lindian to balance its priorities and ensure that Malawi is also enjoying adequate benefits from Kangankunde,. Otherwise, we wish you all the best as you open the mine this year!   

The 9th Malawi Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (MWEITI) report has followed a series of corruption cases and governance challenges that have plagued the country’s mineral sector.

The report, covering the financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025, highlights ongoing investigations, legal disputes, and allegations of illicit dealings involving government officials and mining companies.

It traces a high-profile case involving Nyala Mines, the previous operator of Chimwadzulu Corundum Mine, which is under investigation for unpaid taxes and royalties amounting to billions of kwacha. A legal claim filed in the US District Court in Washington seeks to recover approximately MWK 309.6 billion in unpaid dues from Colombia Gem House, the previous operator of Nyala Mines.

Despite the revival of the case in 2026, the report observes that progress remains slow, with courts yet to set a definitive hearing date.

The Ministry responsible for Mining refused to renew the mining licence for Nyala Mines and later granted the rights to a local company, Mwalawanga Mining, which is currently running the Chimwadzulu Mine in Ntcheu, globally recognized for producing quality ruby and sapphire.

Another significant concern raised in the report pertains to Chinese Company Mawei Mining, which operates the Makanjira Heavy Mineral Sands Project in Mangochi, which is suspected of transferring ownership using dubious channels. The company’s parent entity, Xinjin International, reportedly transferred majority control to Chinese state-linked firms, Shandong Zhaojin Ruining Mining Industries and Hainan International Resources. MWEITI says in the report that the Malawi government has launched an official investigation into these ownership changes, but clarity remains elusive as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has yet to access relevant investigation data.

The report also underscores the slow pace of investigations into allegations of bribery involving senior officials at the Ministry responsible for Mining pertaining to the renewal of the mining license for Ilomba Granite Mine in Chitipa. It reads that despite previous disclosures of suspected corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) reports that legal processes are still at an advanced stage but have experienced delays in court proceedings.

The report’s findings point to gaps in regulatory enforcement and the prevalence of illegal mining activities, factors that continue to undermine governance and fuel corruption. It stresses the urgent need for strengthened legal frameworks.

MWEITI says ongoing reforms, including the development of a Beneficial Ownership Disclosure (BOD) system and the revision of mining legislation, are critical steps toward curbing corruption and ensuring accountability.

In addition, the report calls for increased stakeholder engagement, stricter oversight, and public disclosure of all mining and licensing agreements.

As Malawi prepares for its upcoming independent EITI validation in 2026, experts warn that addressing these systemic issues is essential for attracting investment and safeguarding national resource wealth.

Malawi’s mineral sector remains a key driver of the country’s economic growth ambitions under Malawi Vision 2063. However, systemic governance flaws threaten to undermine progress. The report reveals a significant surge in sector revenues, which increased from MWK 56.64 billion in 2023/2024 to MWK 103.78 billion in 2024/2025. The mining sector remains the primary driver, accounting for 71.1% of total extractive revenues in 2023/2024 and rising to 84.8% in 2024/2025.

Key contributors include cement, uranium, and coal mining, with companies such as Shayona Cement, Cement Products Ltd, Portland Cement, Lotus Africa Ltd, and Kaziwiziwi Coal Mine leading the industry.

The report also highlights a surge in gold purchases by the Export Development Fund (EDF). Gold production increased from 89,053 grams in 2023/2024 to 163,680 grams in 2024/2025, driven largely by rising gold prices, which resulted in increased purchases.

A Mineral Resource Governance Framework  

Series: Malawi’s Critical Minerals Moment 

The global transition from fossil fuels to clean energy is no longer a distant ambition. It is already reshaping economies, industries, and development pathways across the world. Electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar technologies, battery storage systems, digital infrastructure, and other low-carbon systems all depend on minerals such as graphite, rare earth elements, lithium, rutile, uranium, cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese. As I have alluded to in my past three series in this newsletter, for our country Malawi, this transition presents both an opportunity and a governance test. An opportunity for economic transformation, but a test as to how well these energy transition minerals will be governed.  Malawi is increasingly recognized for mineral projects such as Songwe Hill rare earths in

Phalombe, Kangankunde rare earths in Balaka, Kasiya rutile and graphite on the Lilongwe Plain, and renewed interest in Kayelekera uranium in Karonga. These developments suggest that Malawi is moving from the margins of global mineral discussions into a critical minerals frontier, strategically being positioned within clean-energy supply chains.  

However, the key question is not simply whether Malawi has the minerals needed for the global energy transition. The more important question is whether these resources can be governed in ways that deliver inclusive development, protect the environment, strengthen communities, and avoid the mistakes that have long accompanied extractive economies. Across Africa and the Global South, mineral wealth has too often failed to produce broadbased prosperity. The “resource curse” describes how countries rich in minerals, oil, and gas can instead experience weak institutions, corruption, inequality, social conflict, and economic dependence. Malawi therefore has a rare opportunity: because many of its critical mineral projects are still emerging, it can design stronger governance systems before largescale extraction becomes deeply entrenched. Clean energy must not be built on old extractive injustices. If the shift from fossil fuels merely transfers environmental and social burdens from oil-producing regions to mineral-hosting communities, then it will not be a just transition. At the core of this transition are mining communities. They should not be treated as passive recipients of decisions made elsewhere externalised through a top-bottom approach to resource management. But they must be recognized as rights-holders, knowledge-holders, and development partners. In practical terms, this means that communities around mineral projects should be involved from the earliest stages of exploration, licensing, environmental assessment, mine development, production, closure, and post-mining land-use planning. Community participation must be institutionalized rather than treated as a one-off consultation exercise.

A Malawian mineral resource governance framework for the clean-energy transition should therefore rest on five pillars: community participation, environmental sustainability, value addition, institutional transparency, and long-term national development planning. The first pillar is community-centred governance. Mineral-host communities should have access to clear information about proposed mining activities, land requirements, environmental risks, employment opportunities, compensation procedures, and benefit-sharing arrangements. Consultation must be meaningful, culturally appropriate, and continuous. Where land, livelihoods, heritage, or customary rights are affected, the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent should guide engagement. Communities should also have access to grievance mechanisms that are trusted, affordable, and responsive. This is essential for building social licence to operate and reducing conflict between companies, government, and citizens.

The second pillar is environmental protection and mine accountability. Mining for cleanenergy minerals can still damage land, water, biodiversity, and public health if poorly managed. Malawi must therefore strengthen Environmental and Social Impact Assessment processes, improve environmental monitoring, and enforce mine rehabilitation and closure obligations. Mine closure bonds should be required so that companies set aside funds for rehabilitation before environmental damage occurs. Waste management, tailings safety, dust control, water stewardship, and biodiversity protection should be treated as central governance issues, not technical afterthoughts. Sustainability must be embedded in enforceable regulatory systems. The third pillar is local value addition and economic transformation. Malawi should avoid becoming only a supplier of raw minerals to external markets. Although full downstream processing may not be immediately possible for every mineral, the country can still pursue incremental value addition through mineral upgrading, beneficiation, local procurement, skills development, and infrastructure linkages. Domestic processing can create jobs, increase revenue, support industrial growth, and strengthen Malawi’s position in global value chains. However, this requires reliable electricity, transport infrastructure, technical skills, and investment in industrial capacity.

The fourth pillar is institutional transparency and accountable regulation. Strong institutions will determine whether Malawi’s mineral wealth becomes a catalyst for development or a source of inequality. Licensing systems should be clear and transparent, and mining contracts should be publicly accessible where possible. Institutions such as the Malawi Mining Regulatory Authority, Malawi Environmental Protection Authority, and Malawi Revenue Authority require technical capacity, independence, and resources to monitor compliance, collect revenues, and protect the public interest. Transparent governance also builds investor confidence, as responsible investors value predictable rules and public trust.

The fifth pillar is long-term development planning beyond the mine. Minerals are finite, and once extracted, they are depleted. Malawi must therefore ensure that mining revenues are invested in assets that continue to benefit the country after mines close. These include energy infrastructure, technical education, geological research, environmental monitoring systems, transport networks, local enterprise development, and economic diversification. Mining should not become an isolated enclave economy; it should support broader national development.

This governance framework also requires Malawi to define its own critical minerals strategy. Critical minerals are often defined by powerful industrial economies according to their own supply security and national security interests. What is critical to another country’s electric vehicle industry or defence system may not necessarily be critical to Malawi’s development priorities. Malawi should therefore identify which minerals are strategically important for national transformation, how they should be developed, and how benefits should be distributed.  

A clean-energy future must be built together with Malawian communities, not merely extracted from beneath their land. The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy will only be truly just if it also transforms mineral governance. Malawi’s mineral future is not predetermined. If the country strengthens institutions, protects communities, promotes value addition, and places sustainability at the center of governance, critical minerals can become more than export commodities. They can form the foundation for inclusive development, responsible industrialization, and a just transition that benefits both the world’s clean-energy ambitions and the Malawian people.

Farmers participating in a conservation farming programme in Kasiya have achieved maize yields of 6 tonnes per hectare – 4.5 times the local conventional average of 1.35 tonnes per hectare - as Malawi’s Minister of Agriculture officially launched the programme’s second harvest season.

The initiative, supported by Sovereign Services as part of its proposed Kasiya rutile project, is demonstrating how responsible mining and productive agriculture can coexist. Land rehabilitated following trial mining activities has already produced maize yields of 5.2 tonnes per hectare within six months of restoration.

The programme has delivered steadily improving results over three seasons, with yields rising from three times the conventional average in year one, to 4.5 times higher in year three. For participating farmers approximately 60 kilometres west of Lilongwe, this equates to around 15 bags of maize harvested from 1,250 square metres - enough to feed a household for an entire year.

Launching the harvest season at the Kasiya Rehabilitation Site, Malawi’s Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Hon. Roza Fatch Mbilizi said the programme supported the country’s Vision 2063 agenda and the Agriculture, Tourism, Mining and Manufacturing (ATMM) growth strategy.

“Farmers here are harvesting more than five tonnes per hectare using conservation farming methods - relying on manure instead of mineral fertiliser and practising proper planting techniques without ridging - while national average yields remain far lower,” said Minister Mbilizi.

“This is a significant milestone and an example we should replicate across the country. It shows that improved farming practices can transform food security, even under El Nino conditions.”

The minister added that the programme also demonstrated the potential for mining and agriculture to operate side by side.

“Food security remains our first priority, but Malawi must also commercialise agriculture. These yields show that mining and agriculture can coexist, while enabling farmers to move beyond subsistence production into commercially viable crops such as soya, legumes and horticulture.”

Rehabilitation plots that underwent trial mining, backfilling and soil remediation produced an average of 5.2 tonnes of maize per hectare in the 2024/2025 harvest season. Sovereign is working closely with the local farmers cooperative to commence harvesting of the second season of crops in June and July 2026. Similar or better yields are expected which compare favourably against the local average of 1.3 tonnes.

Sovereign Services Country Manager Maxwell Kazako said the conservation farming initiative had become a foundation for long-term community partnership and trust.

“Today is important for Sovereign Services not because of mining, but because it is about people, partnerships and the future of this area,” said Mr Kazako.

“This bumper harvest reflects proper land preparation, effective farming practices and strong collaboration between farmers and our agricultural teams.”

Mr Kazako said the company had already invested in community programmes, including boreholes, scholarships and science fairs, ahead of any mining operations commencing.

“When the mining licence is granted, a Community Development Agreement will formalise our long-term commitment to local communities,” he said.

“Our approach is straightforward: we mine responsibly, rehabilitate the land and support productive farming alongside surrounding communities. Participation has grown from 35 farmers at the rehabilitation site to more than 400 farmers across the Kasiya area, and we aim to expand even further.”

Traditional leaders and local farmers, including Senior Chief Khongoni, T/A Kabudula and T/A Kalolo welcomed the programme’s results and encouraged wider adoption of conservation farming practices.

“We are very happy with these yields. For the last two harvests, the results have been remarkable,” community leaders said jointly.

The Kasiya project incorporates low-risk ore processing methods using highly weathered material that requires no drilling or blasting, alongside hydraulic backfilling techniques designed to return land to productive agricultural use. An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment aligned with IFC Performance Standards is nearing completion, supported by 13 social management plans, detailed cadastral mapping and a 90-member community liaison team.

Together, these measures are intended to establish a framework for long-term coexistence between agriculture, communities and responsible mining development in Kasiya.

About Sovereign Services

Sovereign Services is the Malawi operation of Sovereign Metals Limited, which is focused on developing its Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project in Malawi to become a leading global supplier to the titanium and graphite industries.  

Kasiya is the world’s largest natural rutile deposit – the purest, highest-grade naturally occurring titanium feedstock – and the world’s second-largest flake graphite deposit – a battery mineral essential for the energy transition.-Langmead & Baker

The Ministry of Mining says its programme to formalize artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) through the formation of ASM cooperatives is steadily gaining ground, with hundreds of miners across the country embracing the initiative as a pathway to legal and sustainable mining operations.

Being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and funded by the Malawi Mining Investment Company (MAMICO), the programme is targeting mining communities in various districts to help miners organize themselves into registered cooperatives that can operate within the country’s mining laws and regulations.

As part of the exercise, officials from the Department of Mining have conducted cooperative formation and training sessions in several mining areas, including Matapila and Nanjiri in Lilongwe and Kanchocho in Mzimba . The exercise is expected to continue in other mining communities such Makanjira in Mangochi and Mtaja in Machinga.

The Ministry of Mining says through the cooperatives, miners are expected to transition from informal and often illegal mining operations to organized mining entities that can qualify for licenses and access government support programmes.

The initiative has been welcomed by both miners and traditional leaders in the targeted communities. Speaking during one of the training sessions, artisanal miner Blessings Ameda described the programme as a timely intervention that will help miners understand the legal mining procedures and improve the livelihoods. Traditional leaders have also expressed optimism that the exercise will enable local communities adequately benefit from the mineral resources found in their areas.

Mining surveyor Hillary Bandawe  stresses that formalization remains a key requirement before miners can obtain licenses, noting that organized cooperatives are easier to regulate and support.

As the programme expands to more districts, authorities believe the growing interest among artisanal miners demonstrates success towards a more organized ASM subsector. The Department of Mining is expecting the initiative to contribute significantly to increased mineral production, improved incomes for miners and greater participation of local communities in the country’s mining industry. 

New mining minister storms the road

Newly appointed Minister of Minong Honourable Thoko Tembo has had no time to settle down after his appointment. The Minister has taken to the road already engaging gears.

Barely a month after his appointment, Tembo has already met a number of stakeholders in the sector including the Malawi Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority (MMRA), Malawi Mining Investment Company (MAMICO), the Federation of Artisanal and Small Miners in Malawi (FASMIM), Mining Review Publications, Sovereign Services and is expected to tour a number of private sector mining investments across the country.

The message from the Minister is simple: “State President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and the entire Malawi Nation are depending on mining as a potential sector to lead in Malawi’s economic transformation as underlined in Malawi 2063. Corruption will kill the industry; positive action is the catch word.”

Stakeholders operating in the extractives sector including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Artisanal and Small-scale Miners (ASMs) and the private sector have welcomed the newly appointed Minister who has taken over from Honourable Dr Jean Mathanga who was Minister of Energy and Mining.

Mutharika has split the Ministry into two standalone Ministries consequently leaving Mathanga as Minister of Energy.

In an interview with Mining and Trade Review Executive Director for Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (CEPA), Helbert Mwalukomo congratulated the newly appointed minister and further commended the decision taken by the President to form a standalone Ministry of Mining.

Mwalukomo said the establishment of the Ministry of Mining is the step forward in the right direction understanding that the mining sector is one of the fundamental pillars for national development.

He said: “This is a step in the right direction. As one of the priority sectors for national development, it is progressive to have a stand-alone Ministry of Mining. It demonstrates government's commitment to the development of the sector.”

“What will be more important is for the Ministry to provide the necessary support including adequate resources for the proper functioning of the MMRA and MAMICO.”

 FASMIM President Percy Maleta said the development will bring great impact to the sector.

Maleta said: “We believe a dedicated Mining Ministry will bring greater focus to the sector, improve policy implementation, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and accelerate the formalization and development of ASM activities.”

“The ASM subsector continues to face challenges such as limited access to finance, equipment, technology, and formal markets.”

 “As FASMIM, we look forward to working closely with the Minister and Government to promote responsible mining, value addition, and increased participation of ASMs in Malawi's mining economy.”

Coordinator for Chamber of Mines and Energy, Grain Malunga said “the split of the Ministry of Energy and Mining is good to give focus to the main mandate of the mining sector.

“The split should encourage the new minister to be mining centric and be able to serve mining stakeholders without excuses,” Malunga said.

Speaking on behalf of the youth in mining, Director for Tithandizane Youth Support Organization Aubrey Duwa said the development demonstrates a commitment to giving the mining sector dedicated attention, which is essential for unlocking its full potential and ensuring that mineral resources contribute meaningfully to national development.

Duwa also said they believe that the separation will improve policy focus, oversight, and accountability within the mining sector.

He said: “As a youth-focused CSO, who are also into mining governance, we welcome the Government's decision of separating the Ministry of Energy from the Ministry of Mining and appointing Hon. Tembo as Minister responsible for Mining.”

“With a standalone Ministry, there is an opportunity to strengthen regulation, promote transparency, attract responsible investment, and enhance monitoring of mining activities across the country.”

“From a youth perspective, we hope this restructuring will lead to increased employment opportunities, skills development, entrepreneurship, and greater participation of young people in mining value chains.”

He encouraged the newly appointed Minister to consider prioritizing community engagement, environmental sustainability, and equitable sharing of benefits from mineral resources.

Duwa, however, said the success of this development will depend on effective leadership, strong governance, and a commitment to ensuring that Malawi's mineral wealth translates into tangible socio-economic benefits for all citizens, including young people and communities directly affected by mining activities.

ASX-listed Chilwa Minerals has announced the signing of an agreement with ASX-listed Lindian Resources to prepare monazite drill samples from Kangankunde Rare Earth Prospect at the latter’s Sample Preparation Laboratory in Zalewa.

 The agreement enables material from Lindian’s grade control drilling program at the Kangankunde Rare Earth Project to be processed locally before export for assaying, supporting the projects progress towards production.

Under the arrangement, samples from the Kangankunde project are being prepared at Chilwa’s purpose-built laboratory, which was officially opened by Malawi’s Minister responsible for Mining in November 2024. Grade control drilling is a critical component of mine planning and is expected to support Lindian’s effort as it moves closer to commencing mining operations at Kangankunde in November this year.

 Lindian Executive Chairman Robert Martin commented “Our technical team recently visited the Chilwa laboratory at Zalewa and were impressed with the setup and standards of the operations. It is a well-run, professional facility that meets the standards we require for our grade control sample preparation. Using this facility will expedite our grade control assessment as we move to mining operations at Kangankunde. This is an example of the collective collaboration between emerging mining companies within the Malawian mining community, we would like to thank Cadell Buss and his team at Chilwa Minerals for making capacity available for our requirements.”

Chilwa Minerals’ Managing Director Buss also commented “We were more than happy to oblige the Lindian team. Kangankunde is a world-class asset and the sooner they are in operation, the better it is for other explorers and the broader mining sector in Malawi. Having a project of this caliber progressing towards production is tremendously positive for the country’s critical minerals industry.”

Buss said whilst the income from this arrangement is not material to Chilwa, the Company is very pleased to be assisting Lindian with this request, which independently confirms the technical capabilities of Chilwa’s in country team and facilities.

Despite the ban on the export of raw minerals that was declared by State President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, former Director General of the Malawi Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority Samuel Sakhuta authorized Lindian to export monazite concentrates from Kangankunde, which is one of the largest rare earth deposits in the world with global significance.

I woke up that Thursday cloudy morning of June feeling the torment of cold weather. As per daily routine, my first task was to drop my last-born son Kondwani at Haven Primary School in Falls Township. The distance from my Chilinde home in Lilongwe to the school and proceed to office in nearby Biwi Township is short but appeared too long due to the low fuel levels in the tank of my car. I had last refuelled three days ago in Biwi Triangle, the five litres of petrol bought from the black-market fuel vendors at an inflated price of K65,000 due to the prevailing fuel shortage attributed to ferex shortage.

Lucky enough, I was able to drop Kondwani at Haven and drive safely to the office while my fuel gauge was stuck at the word Empty with the Danger Warning Light on signalling that the engine can switch off at any time due to a dry tank.

I was just settling in my office compiling my work list for the day when three visitors came in. It was my brother Alex with some two friends, all the three smart gentlemen clad in blue suits and neckties, the colour of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). “Oh, Alex long time! You are very much welcome.” I left my desk to greet the three before ushering them to the visitors’ chair.

It was a surprise for me to see Alex Chimwala, a brother I had not met for over five years. In fact, I had last met him at the funeral of my Uncle, Enock Ching’amba, in Machinjiri, Blantyre. Alex is a politician who contested as an Independent Parliamentary candidate in the 2025 elections in Blantyre South Lunzu Constituency but failed to make it to Parliament. I always avoid his company because he mainly discusses politics which I resent because I consider it a dirty game. He introduced his friends; one a tall dark plump guy as David and a short guy light in complexion in dark glasses as Solomon.

“You mining reporter, Alex told me politics is in play at this Kangankunde Mine in your father’s home district, Balaka,” Solomon directed the talk to me.

I explained to the three gentlemen that there is no any politics at Kangankunde. The developer of the mine, Lindian Resources, is a professional company listed on Australian Stock Exchange which demands good practices from listed companies with principles of sustainability at the core of development.

“What about the visit of Honourable Bright Msaka, the Minister of Education, to open school blocks constructed by Lindian at a primary school, was that not politics? I hear the Minister hailed Lindian saying “Adadi ayimanso (the State President will contest again in coming elections) because he is promoting mining which has seen Lindian constructing the blocks,” Solomon again posed the question.

I told the three gentlemen that Honourable Msaka only went to the school with his deputy and entourage from Ministry of Education to officially open Lindian’s Project Early Learning which involves construction of new blocks at Kangankunde Primary School.

“In your thinking, you appear to be a kid, Mr Writer. Where was the Minister of Energy and Mining and her team that time?”

I told Solomon and his team that I do not know but I think the Minister responsible for Mining and team could have missed the function due to their busy schedules.

“That aside, why did His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika remove our technocrat Mr Samuel Sakhuta from the position of Director General of Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority. Is that not connected to the Kangankunde Mine?”

I told him I do not know of any connection between Kangankunde Mine and the dismissal of the Director General of the Authority. What I think is that the President just moved the seasoned geologist Mr Sakhuta to assign him other befitting roles to maximise benefits for the country from his services.

But Solomon responded: “You are indeed a toddler Mr Writer. Mr Sakhuta was dismissed after he wrote a letter giving greenlight to Lindian Resources to export monazite concentrate to its downstream processing facility in Kazakhstan despite the Presidential ban on exportation of raw minerals with its regulations not gazetted yet. In the political circles, we believe he was still dancing to the tunes of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) because of such actions.”

“In his later responding to Lindian who was seeking clearance to start exporting the monazite for tests, Mr Sakhuta said the Executive Order excludes monazite from Kangankunde because Lindian will be sending concentrates, which is processed material yet this is only an immediate stage in the processing cycle.” He shared the letter to me through Whatsapp. We have published the letter in this column, and this is the same letter that Lindian used to fundraise from investors for its projects at Kangankunde and Kazakhstan where it has purchased a refinery.

“So now toddler, do you still think that there is no politics in mining? Then, why is Mr Sakhuta’s immediate boss in the Chakwera administration, the then Principal Secretary responsible for Regulation Activities, Mr Martin Kaluluma Phiri, now at Lindian as Head of the company’s Malawi operations?”

I told him that I just know Mr Kaluluma Phiri as a professional who is with Lindian due to his credentials.

“Is he a geologist or Mining Engineer?”  Solomon questioned.

Before I could answer David chimed in: : “Tell all the opposition sympathisers to get to get their hands off this mineral treasure at Kangankunde. This is a national asset not party property!” It is when I realised that David is a typical DPP zealot. His voice was just deep, alarming and appeared forceful in his tone.

I told him I do not want anything to do with politics, it will just smear my name and reputation as politics is a dirty game. This is the reason I refrain from meeting my brother Alex.

It was at this point that I had an opportunity to explain to the three politicians that it is necessary for all politicians not to meddle with mining projects. I narrated to them the ordeal of an investor in Lindian Resources based in Australia. Here is a man, who lost his right leg in a work accident. He invested his compensation in Kangankunde through Lindian hoping that his children and grandchildren will benefit from proceeds from this multigenerational deposit whose mine life is pegged at over 100 years.

This only invited the wrath of Alex: “Think of your son, Kondwani not those rich people in Australia! Will Kondwani and fellow kids of his generation in Malawi be able to find mining jobs when companies like Lindian continue to source rawer minerals in Malawi for downstream processing in European countries? Adad APM (referring to the State President) has a vision. This is why he issued the Executive Order banning raw mineral exports.”

At that point, I realised the time was running out for me to seek black market fuel and pick Kandwani from school. I told the guys to excuse me to look for fuel but it was David who came to my rescue. “I will give you five litres, my brother.” He opened the boot of his car, which the three men used in their trip from Blantyre, to produce a 5-litres gallon and a flexible pipe he used to drain petrol from his car into the galloon that was emptied into my vehicle.

That day David saved me from the pain of fuel scarcity as David of the Bible saved the Israelites from the wrath of Goliath and the Philistines. But as I arrived at Haven Primary School to meet the ever smiling Kondwani, I envisioned what I shared with the visitors and what the President could have had in mind when declaring the ban on raw minerals; a new Malawi, a haven where there is enough forex and no fuel scarcity because of better governance of mining projects such as Kangakunde. A Haven that will host Kondwani Chimwala as a University graduate able to find a job in metallurgy with companies conducting beneficiation of minerals locally!