By Monica Scotch
Chief Inspector in the Department of Mines under the Ministry of Energy and Mining, Zutu Liabunya, says it is important to involve Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (ASMs) in the formulation of the Draft ASM Policy to ensure that the document addresses challenges affecting the sector.
Liabunya made the remarks Wednesday in Mzimba during a stakeholder consultation meeting on the Draft ASM Policy, saying the ministry wants miners to actively participate in the policy development process so that they become part of the solutions the policy seeks to provide.
Liabunya said the policy aims at improving the livelihoods of small-scale miners through formalization, better coordination and increased participation in the mining sector.
He said government recognizes the contribution which small-scale miners make to the economy and is committed to promoting sustainable mining practices that benefit communities for national development.
“This policy wants miners to operate in an organized and legal manner while improving their economic well-being,” said Liabunya.
General Secretary for Gemstone Association of Malawi, Ian Mbewe, commended the ministry for involving miners in the consultations.
Mbewe has also commended the ministry for incorporating issues of cooperatives for small-scale miners in the draft policy, saying the development will help reduce illegal mining.
He said many miners fail to acquire licences as individuals, hence urged them to be in cooperatives for them to easily acquire licences.
“Most illegal mining activities take place because many miners cannot manage to get licences on their own, so cooperatives will help bring them together and make their operations legal,” said Mbewe.
The consultations form part of efforts aimed at strengthening local participation and promoting sustainable development of the ASM subsector in line with the Malawi 2063.
