The Director of Mines Burnett Msika has confirmed that Malawi is raking in an approximate sum of K600 million from mining royalties, paid annually.

Msika outlined that the royalties show that the country is making strides in achieving economic gains from the mining sector.  However, other stakeholders have said that the sum is on the lower side when compared to other countries within the region. Government has therefore been criticized for undercharging, to which Msiska explained that the royalties are charged in consideration to factors like commodity price.

Meanwhile, authorities in the mining sector have intensified mining inspections and surveys to ensure that the royalties being paid to the government are proportional to the volumes of minerals being excavated. “We are out here conducting performance audits of all license holders. We have suspended some, revoked some while we continue to issue new ones, all this because we want to grow the sector but also ensure sanity and compliance,” said Msiska