Mines and Minerals Act Review Symposium, Bingu International Conference Centre, Lilongwe (16-17 July 2014)

Three weeks ago, the Government of Malawi organised the Mines and Minerals Act Review Symposium to launch the review of the Mines and Minerals Act from 1981. This preceded changes in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining; Dr Leonard Kalindekafe was replaced by Ben Botolo as Principal Secretary.

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. Otto was in attendance and joined by government officials, traditional leaders, politicians, business people, researchers and journalists who have a stake in this review.

Take a look at the programme below (click on the images to enlarge).

Below is a roundup of news reports on this Symposium, listed chronologically from newest to oldest, followed by a couple of photographs taken at the event.

• Review of Mines and Minerals Act Symposium, Nyasa Times, Grain Malunga, 5 August 2014
• Mining revenue hits K3.3billion, BNL Times, Caroline Kandiero, 29 July 2014
• Government prioritizing mining exploration, Malawi 24, 28 July 2014
• Malawians have unrealistic mining expectations – Globe Metals, The Nation, Dumbani Mzale, 22 July 2014
• Activist for local participation in extractive sectors, The Nation, Innocent Helema, 22 July 2014
• Mining transparency needed in Malawi, BNL Times, 19 July 2014
• ‘Mining and environment can’t be in one ministry’, BNL Times, Taonga Sabola, 17 July 2014
• World Bank warns Malawi government on mining, BNL Times, Gregory Gondwe, 17 July 2014
• Malawi minerals Act outdated, requires urgent review –Official, Nyasa Times, Yankho Msukwa, 15 July 2014
• Malawi has high potential in the mining sector, Nyasa Times, Malawi News Agency, 15 July 2014
• Experts to bang heads on Mining Sector Law, The Nation, Dumbani Mzale, 11 July 2014

L-R: Neville Huxham (Globe Metals and Mining), Appolenia Mbowe (World Bank), Atupele Muluzi (Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining), Leonard Kalindekafe (PS of Mining), James Otto (Consultant)

Gemstones displayed by Malawi Women in Mining Association at Mines and Minerals Act Review Symposium