‘Mining symposium opportunity for small-scale miners’

Organisers of small-scale miners’ symposium underway in Lilongwe say the event could be a turning point for miners who will utilise the opportunity well.

The symposium organising committee chairperson Peter Jere said various stakeholders, including potential partners and financiers in the mining value chain, especially those that deal with precious stones, are attending.

He said: “Mining cooperatives will have a chance to present pitches and exhibit their products.

“There will be different players in the field, including commercial banks and microfinance institutions to interact with the cooperatives.”

Jere said if cooperatives use the opportunity well, some of them can find partners or financiers to help them enhance their mining.

“Most small-scale miners operate like orphans, they still rely on primitive methods and knowledge in their operations, but the symposium could change their story if they are clever,” he said.

The symposium has been organised by Nyasa Mining Cooperative, a group of small-scale miners to promote the mining the industry.

The event is expected to attract 20 exhibitors.

The Malawi Government Annual Economic Report 2020 shows that the mining sector grew by four percent in 2019, a slight revision from the initial estimate of 3.9 percent.

This year, the sector is projected to grow by three percent against an initial projection of five percent largely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, which is expected to disrupt work in the sector and also derail construction works which is the major source of demand for mining.