Malawi’s new mineral lab to reduce costs

By Chisomo Phiri

Director of Administration in the Ministry of Mining Andrew Chisamba has underscored the significance of the State-of-the-Art Mineral Laboratory, which is nearing completion, in reducing government expenditure on mineral analysis and bolstering the effective implementation of the Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining (ATM) Strategy.

In an interview, Chisamba  said the laboratory’s inauguration is imminent, pending final touches expected to be completed within the next month.


He emphasized the laboratory’s importance to the nation, highlighting its capacity for domestic mineral sample analysis, thereby eliminating the need for outsourcing.

He noted the facility’s uniqueness in the region, observing that African countries often rely on external sources for mineral analysis.

While acknowledging Malawi’s abundant mineral resources, particularly critical minerals essential for clean energy production, Chisamba stressed the global demand for these minerals in the context of the transition to clean energy.