Malawi launches intensive geological survey

Malawi will soon launch an intensive geological survey in Chitipa and Karonga Districts to establish comprehensive information on mineral deposits available in the two districts.

This was disclosed Wednesday by the Regional Mining Engineer for the North, George Maneya during a meeting organised by ministry of energy and mining to brief district executive committee (DEC) members and traditional leaders on the survey.

Maneya said the airborne exploration exercise, under Kauniuni Project, will help government to trace the types of mineral deposits and their location, which will be crucial in guiding international investors wanting to venture into mining industry.

“Once the exploration undertaking has been accomplished, government will be equipped with detailed information about the types of mineral deposits that the country has, which can easily be passed to foreign investors interested to do mining in the country,” explained Maneya.

He said at the meantime, government has sketchy information on the mineral deposits the country is sitting on, which dates back to surveys done decades ago by colonial geologists.

Kauniuni Project, which has been financed by EU and World Bank, will engage planes which will be flying low at 40 metres above the ground to detect the minerals.

The closer to the ground planes fly, the most effective the survey is, said Maneya.

He said government has opted for an aerial geological survey because it is time effective and highly environmental friendly.

“The exercise will not inflict any harm to trees and other natural resources, as opposed to extensive damage caused by ground surveys, which deploy objects and assorted machinery to randomly till the land in desperate search of mineral deposits” he said.

He then asked DEC members and traditional leaders to inform communities about the exploration.

Chitipa District Commission Grace Chirwa said the council will always support government initiatives, designed to enhance socioeconomic development of the country.

“The exploration of mineral deposits is a welcome move because once minerals are discovered in Chitipa, the district will economically develop, besides promoting accessibility of employment by the would be investors.” she said.

The 14 months project will cover the whole country.