TI-UP Enquiry: the gemstone sector in Malawi
The Malawi Government aims to promote and support small-scale mining in areas of import substitution and value-adding services
Abstract
The mining sector in Malawi is very small and contributes only 3 per cent to GDP. Several mineral deposits exist in Malawi which can be mined on a small scale. The Malawi Government has embarked on an economic empowerment programme aimed at promoting and supporting small-scale mining in areas of import substitution and value-adding services. These programmes include gemstone cutting and polishing. Gemstone mining in Malawi, the problems associated with mining (environmental degradation, seasonality of mining operations, low prices for gemstones, lack of grading and processing capacity, and conflict between miners and villagers), and legislation, are described.
This resource was produced by TI-UP – a DFID-funded resource centre for technology, infrastructure and urban planning, managed by IMC Worldwide Ltd.
Citation
Paling, S. TI-UP Enquiry: the gemstone sector in Malawi. TI-UP Resource Centre, London, UK (2007) 6 pp.