Overview

Malawi’s mining sector accounts for 1 percent of GDP with primarily small-scale mining operations. The World Bank estimates the sector raised its annual contribution to Government revenue from 2.6 percent in 2022 to 3.5 percent in 2023. Malawi has several minerals with economic potential, such as uranium, phosphates (apatite), bauxite, kaolinitic, coal, kyanite, limestones, rare earths (including strontianite and monazite), graphite, sulphides (pyrite and pyrrhotite), titanium minerals, and vermiculite. Most of these minerals were evaluated in the past by either Ministry of Mining (through Geological Survey Department) or private companies. Only phosphate, coal, limestone, uranium, iron ore, rock aggregate, gold, and precious stones have previously been exploited. Several rare earth, rutile, graphite, and niobium projects are planned, with anticipated start dates in the next five years. Gas and oil exploration rights in Lake Malawi have previously been awarded. The government plans to use onshore clean technology to preserve the lake’s ecosystem.

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Malawi is carried out through labor-intensive mining methods for lime production, clay for pottery, gold, and gemstones. Small scale mining is facilitated by mineral permits, mining claim licenses, and reserved mineral licenses.

The Malawi Geological Survey Department (MGSD) periodically updates the government’s geo-data management platform. High resolution airborne geophysical survey data can be purchased from the MGSD. The Ministry of Mining introduced a computer-based mining cadastral system in 2017 to improve transparency and effective management of mineral rights in the country. Field surveys are ongoing and aimed at providing more granular data about mineral deposits.

Leading Sub-sectors

Malawi hopes to increase the mineral sector’s contribution to GDP from less than one percent in 2024 to up to ten percent by 2063. Several international companies are engaged in mineral exploration and mine development for various minerals. Several mines are expected to come online in the next five years with large requirements for equipment. In 2009 Australian based Paladin Energy Limited opened a uranium ore mine at Kayelekera in the Northern District of Chitipa but sold its 85 percent interest to Lotus Resources Ltd (LOT) in March 2020. The remaining 15 percent is controlled by the government. The mine produced 10.9 million pounds of uranium from 2009 to 2014.  Following a suspension in production due to depressed global uranium prices, Lotus resumed production at Kayelekera in 2025.

Opportunities

Mineral deposits, including but not limited to bauxite, heavy mineral sands, monazite, coal, vermiculite, uranium, gemstones, limestone, graphite, rare-earth-elements, iron ore, niobium, rutile, tantalum, precious and semi-precious stones, dimension stones, gypsum, and rock aggregates reportedly exist. Alluvial gold mineralization and kimberlitic anomalies in the country have also been reported in recent years by the MGDS. Like many other African countries, most of these deposits remain untouched and are spread across the country. The collection of high-resolution geophysical data, indicated by the availability of some magnetic and radiometric anomalies, signals the possibility of further exploration for various mineral types including radioactive ore or ores associated with radioactive elements. It is expected that exploration activities, together with an on-going Geological Mapping and Mineral Assessment Project (GEMMAP), will help collect data on the different types of minerals that exist in Malawi. Proven deposits of rare earth minerals, rutile, and graphite have led to several mining companies conducting advanced feasibility studies with production in these mines forecasted to commence between 2029 and 2031. With Malawi being a new player in large scale commercial mining, there are existing opportunities for infrastructure development in and around mines; supply of mining equipment and hardware; and provision of technical services and supply chain management.

Table: Malawi deposits, locations, and the reserves.

Web Resources

• Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC)
• Mining in Malawi Trade Review
• Malawi Extractives Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI Malawi)
• Ministry of Finance (MOF)
• Malawi Mining Investment Company (MAMICO)