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Government lauds progress in ASM formalization drive
July 20, 2026 / Jacqueline MONJEZA
The Ministry of Mining says its programme to formalize artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) through the formation of ASM cooperatives is steadily gaining ground, with hundreds of miners across the country embracing the initiative as a pathway to legal and sustainable mining operations.
Being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and funded by the Malawi Mining Investment Company (MAMICO), the programme is targeting mining communities in various districts to help miners organize themselves into registered cooperatives that can operate within the country’s mining laws and regulations.
As part of the exercise, officials from the Department of Mining have conducted cooperative formation and training sessions in several mining areas, including Matapila and Nanjiri in Lilongwe and Kanchocho in Mzimba . The exercise is expected to continue in other mining communities such Makanjira in Mangochi and Mtaja in Machinga.
The Ministry of Mining says through the cooperatives, miners are expected to transition from informal and often illegal mining operations to organized mining entities that can qualify for licenses and access government support programmes.
The initiative has been welcomed by both miners and traditional leaders in the targeted communities. Speaking during one of the training sessions, artisanal miner Blessings Ameda described the programme as a timely intervention that will help miners understand the legal mining procedures and improve the livelihoods. Traditional leaders have also expressed optimism that the exercise will enable local communities adequately benefit from the mineral resources found in their areas.
Mining surveyor Hillary Bandawe stresses that formalization remains a key requirement before miners can obtain licenses, noting that organized cooperatives are easier to regulate and support.
As the programme expands to more districts, authorities believe the growing interest among artisanal miners demonstrates success towards a more organized ASM subsector. The Department of Mining is expecting the initiative to contribute significantly to increased mineral production, improved incomes for miners and greater participation of local communities in the country’s mining industry.
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Rehabilitation:
The establishment of a stable and self-sustaining ecosystem, but not necessarily the one that existed before mining began. In many cases, complete restoration may be impossible, but successful remediation, reclamation, and rehabilitation can result in the timely establishment of a functional ecosystem.
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Remediation:
The cleanup of the contaminated area to safe levels by removing or isolating contaminants. At mine sites, remediation often consists of isolating contaminated material in pre-existing tailings storage facilities, capping tailings and waste rock stockpiles with clean topsoil, and collecting and treating any contaminated mine water if necessary.
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