Minister of Mining Honourable Monica Chang’anamuno (MP) on Wednesday, 29th November 2023 inaugurated High-Resolution Airborne Geophysical Survey project at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre.
The survey targets Salambidwe Ring Complex in Chikwawa district, which among other minerals, is known for Rare Earth Elements (REE) mineralization.
These minerals are critical for green energy and are currently on high demand globally.
Green Exploration Limited and Akatswiri Mineral Resources are implementing the Project with financial assistance from DY6 Metals of Australia.
New Resolution Geophysics (NRG) from South Africa is contracted to fly the helicopter over the Salambidwe Ring Complex for seven days at a line spacing of 30 metres.
Speaking to the press Honourable Chang’anamuno said the initiative will provide detailed magnetic and radiometric data for the area which will be used to map in detail the area and help to understand its mineralization better.
The Minister indicated that Salambidwe is one of the areas in the southern part of Malawi that were not covered during the Countrywide Airborne Geophysical Survey that the Government of Malawi through her Ministry undertook in 2013-14 due to problems with acquiring overflight permits from Mozambique.
She applauded Green Exploration Limited and Akatswiri Mineral Resources for taking such a path to fly the helicopter and encouraged others to emulate these two local companies in assisting the government's effort to develop the mining sector.
Chang’anamuno further said Malawi is becoming a big mining investment destination due to the availability of several mineral occurrences, which need detailed studies for the country to realize its potential mineral wealth.
She further cited the country’s stable political environment and incentives attached to the mining industry by the Government as other factors that make Malawi a more viable and attractive investment destination.
“I would like to encourage more players to participate by investing in the mining industry as the sector has been identified by the Government through the Leadership of President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera alongside Agriculture and Tourism to be among the main contributors to sustainable economic growth if well harnessed.
“Initiatives by private companies such as Green Exploration Limited and Akatswiri Mineral Resources can help to revolutionalise the mining sector in Malawi,” Chang’anamuno said
Also speaking on the day was Director of Green Exploration Limited Troth Saindi who said DY6 Metals has provided $7 million in support of the Salambidwe project and two other projects in Machinga and Ngala Hill in Chikwawa district.
Troth was optimistic about generating interesting results from the Salambidwe, pushing the project further.
On his part Director of Akatswiri Mineral Resources Hilton Banda while agreeing with Troth, indicated that they plan to acquire airborne geophysical data over Salambidwe, quickly process it and come up with targets for further detailed studies on geochemistry, geological mapping and others that can inform drilling.
