Minister of Mining Monica Chang’anamuno has inaugurated a $250 000 (about K438 million) mineral testing laboratory owned by mining exploration firm Chilwa Minerals Africa Limited at Motal Engil camp site at Zalewa in Neno District.
Speaking during the launch on Friday, the minister commended Chilwa Minerals Africa Limited, a subsidiary of Mota Engil Africa, for showing commitment to advance the country’s mining sector, which is part of the ATM strategy or agriculture, mining and tourism to stimulate economic growth.
Said Chang’namuno: “Establishing this state- of-the-art laboratory represents not just a significant investment in infrastructure, but also an unwavering commitment to advancing Malawi’s mining sector.
“This laboratory will play a pivotal role in material testing, a service that until now depends on external facilities either in South Africa, Australia and elsewhere.”
Buss (C) and Mateauma rejoice
She said the technology housed at the facility is a step in modernising the country’s mining operations, adding that it will enhance operational efficiency for Chilwa Minerals, reduce costs for testing and analysis as well improve quality and reliability of mineral samples.
Said Chang’anamuno: “This development is expected to have ripple effects by attracting ancillary investment, general employment and increase the export opportunities.
“Materials testing which depends on external facilities will be done here. All these materials would have gone to South Africa for testing.”
She said the facility will also help people to understand what exactly happens in mineral testing.
Chilwa Minerals Africa Limited founder and managing director Cudell Buss said the facility is a statement that they believe in the project and Malawi.
“This is a long-term project and we believe in the project and it signifies that we are here to stay,” he said.
Buss said the laboratory is critical to the country’s mining sector as it will conduct preliminary sampling of large volumes of deposits before further analysis in Australia.
“We will no longer be sending samples outside the country for preliminary sampling,” he said.
Buss said 30 people are already working at the laboratory.
Machinga district commissioner Rodrick Mateauma said the laboratory will reduce cases of suspicion for the people in Zomba and Machinga where Chilwa Minerals Africa Limited carries out its exploration works.
Some of the minerals to be tested at the laboratory before further analysis include Iimenite, rutile, zircon, garnet, monzonite and xenotime and rare earths.
Chilwa Minerals Limited has 100 interests in the Lake Chilwa Heavy Mineral Sands Project on the shores of Lake Chilwa.
Last week, the Chamber of Mines and the National Planning Commission said the mining sector should be able to contribute 12 percent to the country’s gross domestic product by 2027.
This growth could help to propel Malawi into the lower middle-income economy by 2030 and an upper middle-income economy by 2063.
