Next week, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining is organising a symposium to review the Mines and Minerals Act that is dated from 1981. Principal Secretary Leonard Kalindekafe has invited delegates to attend the review workshop at the Bingu International Conference Centre, Lilongwe, on Wednesday and Thursday 16 and 17 July.

The review of the Act is part of the Malawi Mining Governance and Growth Support Project (supported by the EU with a USD 25 million loan from the World Bank). The project is hiring American Professor James Otto (see his website and LinkedIn profile) for this review, which will also involve government-led consultation with different stakeholders. The government was criticised by civil society organisations at the beginning of the month for not providing platforms for effective consultation and engagement when it formulates mining legislation.

There will be a number of speeches, presentations, and discussion sessions, and a small exhibition of mining companies and operators. The recently appointed Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Atupele Muluzi, will also be in attendance.

Last week (Wednesday 2 July) at the donor coordination meeting on mining, Muluzi stated that

We do not want business as usual in the mining sector. It is important that we demonstrate results by ensuring the benefits of mineral exploitation are optimally collected and utilised in a transparent manner.