Dying for gold

 K50, 000 but now the same fetches between K390, 000 to K400, 000 according to official reports. 

 

It is this incentive that has motivated the risky gold mining in places such as Kasungu. 

 

Chairperson for Civil Society Network in Kasungu Braxton Banda is worried that authorities are paying a blind eye to this catastrophe. 

 

“We have registered our concerns to the council. Unfortunately mining activities are yet to be decentralised. We are planning a mining indaba to resolve these issues” said Banda. 

 

According to the Annual Economic Report (2025) apart from Kasungu the other hotspots for informal gold mining are; Balaka, Neno (Lisungwi), Machinga (Nsanama), Mangochi (Makanjira), Nkhatabay (Tukombo), and Nkhotakota (Bowa, Dwangwa and surrounding areas).

 

 

In the 2025/26 budget statement minister of finance indicated that gold miners are one of the target groups for the government’s formalisation drive. 

 

In a written response executive director for the Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (CEPA), Herbert Mwalukomo, said artisanal mining is causing land degradation and have potential health impacts hence calling on government to fast track the formalisation process. 

 

Said Mwalukomo: “We have seen RBM buying gold from licensed small scale miners. It would be wrong if they do the same from unlicensed miners. Ultimately, what matters is for all stakeholders to invest their efforts in supporting formalization of small scale miners so that Malawians should benefit from mineral resources while ensuring health and safety and environmental sustainability”. 

 

In an interview President for the Federation of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Malawi, Percy Maleta, acknowledged the fact that most artisanal miners lack expertise and work in unsafe conditions. 

 

“Currently, the Ministry of Mining, MMRA {Mining and Mineral Resources Authority}, are establishing and training mining cooperatives across the country, awareness and training on safer mining practices. We plan to work with them and other stakeholders to make sure ASMs are responsible in their mining practices” said Maleta adding that the federation is currently working on registration processes before hitting the ground. 

 

While the law require licensee holders to prevent environmental harm, conduct Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), and plan for mine closure, Maleta observed that there is weak enforcement, especially in informal mining. 

 

In 2020, during the state of the nation address, President Lazarus Chakwera stated that $85 million worth of gold was smuggled to the United Arab Emirates hence opening up RBM to purchase gold to counter smuggling. 

 

In the 2025-2026 budget statement, minister of finance, indicated that through the Malawi Mining Investment Company “a nationwide survey to identify and assess gold mining sites will be undertaken to inform strategic investments in gold mining, buying, and selling”. 

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