Malawi could realise substantial revenue if value addition is emphasised before mineral exportation, Principal Secretary for Rodwell Mzonde has said.
Mzonde made the remarks in Blantyre on Tuesday when he opened a consultative meeting on the draft Value Addition Regulations and the pMiningroposed amendment to the Mines and Minerals Act, 2023.
“If we add value, whatever you get from that mineral is higher in value and if you are talking about making money, it can be made through value addition,” he said.
Mzonde said gaps in the law had allowed miners to decide on their own what value addition meant.
Meanwhile, Executive Dean of Ndata School of Climate and Earth Sciences at the Malawi University of Science and Technology Chikondi Chisenga has welcomed the consultations.
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“This consultation will give a chance to the country to gain more and maximise benefits from its mineral resources,” said Chisenga.
Chairperson for Gemstones Association of Malawi, Matthias Chimbuto, said small-scale miners were optimistic.
“We, as miners, are expecting positive change in terms of the way things have been done to benefit Malawians,” Chimbuto said.
The move directly supports Malawi 2063 Pillar 2: Industrialisation and Pillar 1 on Agricultural Productivity and Commercialisation, which includes mining as a key growth sector, as well as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth by ensuring that jobs and wealth are retained locally.
