The Malawi Women in Mining Association (Mawima) has said ongoing mining reforms have left out women despite a majority of them being small-scale miners.
In an interview, Mawima president Emma Adams said its research found that women cooperatives are not aware of the ongoing mining reforms and this threatens their constructive participation in the sector, which is key to catalyse economic growth.
She said: “We were told that there are mining reforms in the country, but we are not aware what is going on.
“Everywhere we went women said they don’t know about the reforms or how the reforms will help them. They simply have no knowledge.”
Adams also expressed concern with the lengthy ban on exports of some minerals such as gemstones, saying it has affected thousands of cooperatives whose members rely on gemstones business.
“The other issue is on mineral exports because we export minerals and get money for our livelihoods but now because of the ban nobody from outside the country could buy our minerals, even the locals cannot buy because they are not exporting, they cannot be issued with export permits,” he said.
In his reaction, Ministry of Mining acting director of mining Mphatso Chikoti said both the Mines and Mineral Regulation Act of 2023 and the Mining Policy of 2013, which is currently undergoing review, have provisions on youth and women empowerment, but highlighted the need for collaboration.
He said: “We have a number of programmes in place. We have come up with reforms, one of these reforms is the establishment of Mining Regulatory Authority, which has been established under the Mines and Minerals Act of 2023.
“There are a number of provisions in that document that are talking about promotion of youth and women.”
Chikoti said they are currently revising the Mines and Minerals Policy of 2013.
Commenting on gemstone, he said they are working on a framework that will close the gaps that were siding smuggling of gemstones to ensure the country fully benefits from the sector.
“We are working on a framework to ensure that there is no leakages or smuggling of gemstones ,” said Chikoti.
Malawi Mining Investment Company chief executive officer Leonard Kalindekafe said his company together with other stakeholders are setting up structures that will enable small-scale miners sell their minerals such as gold and gemstones in designated markets.
He said: “One of the priorities of the company is to have structures in place together with other players.
“We are putting up structured markets where miners can go and sell their gold within a reasonable distance.”
In an earlier interview, Mines and Mineral Regulatory Authority director general Samuel Sakhuta said the authority will ensure policies are timely formulated without bureaucracy-induced delays to guarantee flexibility and fast decision-making.
Mining contribution to the gross domestic product is currently estimated at one percent, but the Chamber of Mines and Minerals expects it to hit 12 percent in 2027 when three projects of Kayelekera Uranium Mine in Karonga, Kanyika Niobium Mine in Mzimba and Kangankunde Rare Earth Project in Balaka are in full operation
