Airborne geophysical survey to broaden Malawi’s economic base

Mining experts from the Ministry of energy and Mines say the ongoing airborne geophysical survey that government has rolled out in some areas will increase the country’s economic base since there is a possibility of finding rich mineral deposits in some areas.

The survey which Malawi is conducting has already started in the central region and aims at officially identifying any possible mineral deposits in the country.

Speaking during an orientation tour in Nkhata-bay district on Friday, mining engineers from energy and mines ministry said  at the end of the survey, the country will have broaden up its economic base since the survey might uncover some rich mineral deposits vital for the economy.

Mining engineer from the department, Dougras Ninge said the survey will give a clear direction on what Malawi has in terms of mineral deposits.john-bande-malawi-mining-indaba

“At the end of the survey, the country will benefit since we will know what we have in store hence we will easily woo prospective investors to come in the country and exploit these in the process developing our economy,” said Ninge.

He explained that the mining sector is growing hence the need for government to have a clear idea on what lies beneath its soil and water.

“As the sector is growing, we don’t need to rely on unconfirmed data to know what we have in store but need to have up to date information which will help our economy to develop for the better.

Many countries that are now developed mainly depend on mineral deposits and Malawi cannot afford to remain behind relying on few economic ventures but has to diversify,” explained the engineer.

Regional mining engineer for the north, George Maneya said Malawi currently relies on geophysical survey information that was done in the 1960’s which is currently out dated.

“We rely on information that was done in the 1960’s which was done when the country was not technologically developed as it is today. When people want the geophysical data, we fail to give them right data since what we have is out of date information.

“We therefore believe that after embarking on this project, we will have answers towards our geophysical environment endowments,” said Maneya.

Maneya further explained that the survey will also help the country to plan for its various developments both at local and central levels.

“Government will be able to properly plan on what projects to implement in different areas with regard to the geophysical results that the survey will bring out,” he said.

According to the engineers, various planes will be flying around the country at low distance from the ground to make sure they discover all possible mineral deposits.

“Planes will be flying at 80 metres above the ground and some will even fly as low as 40 meters from the ground,” clarified Maneya.–Mana

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