Does the use of gemstones contribute to Malawi's financial success?
Malawi's gemstone industry is experiencing a significant surge, thanks to large mining and infrastructure investments and strategic developments in the sector. The Gemstone Association of Malawi (GAM), re-energized in 2015 with funding from the World Bank, is at the heart of this growth.
The current gemstone processing plant at Malawi processes 30 tonnes of ore per day, with ambitious plans to increase production to a staggering 1,000 tonnes per day. This expansion is made possible through collaborations, such as the one between Nyala Mines Ltd and Columbia Gem House, which aims to bring Malawi's gemstones to the world market.
Malawi's mining activities are not limited to gemstones alone. The country is also ramping up production of rutile and graphite, essential minerals in high-tech and industrial applications. Projects like the Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project are positioning Malawi to meet the rising global demand and take a competitive place in the global minerals market.
Coloured gemstones, such as sapphire, ruby, aquamarine, rhodolite, zircon, and blue agate, are being mined in Malawi. The openness to geological data and commitment to transparent mineral resource management enhances investor confidence, further boosting the gemstone sector's viability.
However, specific data on Malawi’s coloured gemstone production volumes or direct export values is limited, suggesting the market is either nascent or under-documented relative to other minerals like rutile and graphite.
Hellen Chasowa, regional chairperson south for Malawi's Women in Mining Association (MAWIMA), has expressed a desire for project sponsorship to create beads and jewelry for Malawi's tourist trade. This move could generate local economic benefits and provide opportunities for skills training and market development, supported by both Malawian and international partners.
In the southern region of Malawi, the Chimwadzulu Hill mine, primarily a low-grade sapphire deposit, is also producing rubies and padparadschas as a bonus. John Mahomed, the mine's owner, aims to expose the primary source of corundum by removing overlying secondary deposits through increased production.
The key to Chimwadzulu Hill's profitability lies in increasing the volume of ore excavated and processed to bring down the mine's operating cost per tonne. An environmental impact assessment has been filed for the new plant and equipment at Chimwadzulu Hill, pending government approval.
The article emphasizes the importance of value-addition strategies to keep more rough material in Malawi for cutting and fashioning. Columbia Gem House has reaffirmed their commitment to cut and market the stones from Chimwadzulu Hill.
Malawi, a peaceful, democratic country that is one of Africa's least-developed, is located within the Mozambique Belt and shares borders with gemstone-producing countries like Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique. The growth of Malawi's gemstone industry could make it a noteworthy source of coloured gemstones and critical minerals globally within the next decade.
[1] World Bank. (2015). Malawi - Mining Governance and Growth Support Project. [online] Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/project/mining-governance-and-growth-support-project-malawi [Accessed 10 Mar. 2022].
[3] Sovereign Metals. (2021). Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project. [online] Available at: https://sovereignmetals.com/projects/kasiya-rutile-graphite-project/ [Accessed 10 Mar. 2022].
[4] Gemrocks. (2021). Malawi. [online] Available at: https://gemrocks.com/malawi/ [Accessed 10 Mar. 2022].
- The Gemstone Association of Malawi (GAM), spurred by funding from the World Bank, is playing a crucial role in the growth of the country's reputed gemstone industry.
- In addition to gemstones, Malawi is increasing production of rutile and graphite, essential minerals for high-tech and industrial applications, as shown by projects like the Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project.
- Although data on coloured gemstone production volumes in Malawi is limited, there is tremendous potential for growth in this sector, given the availability of minerals like sapphire, ruby, aquamarine, and more.
- Hellen Chasowa, of Malawi's Women in Mining Association (MAWIMA), has proposed a project to create beads and jewelry for Malawi's tourist trade, which could generate local benefits and offer skills training opportunities.
- John Mahomed, the owner of Chimwadzulu Hill mine, aims to increase the mine's profitability by excavating and processing more ore, potentially exposing a primary source of corundum and making Malawi a notable source of coloured gemstones in the global market within the next decade.
