South African mining experts and a Malawian ex-minister have expressed interest to open free-mining skills academy in Malawi which will be donor funded.

Speaking to representative of the civil society and the private sector in Lilongwe, Andre Tsakos, a South African, said a request has already been made to the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) for a mandate to enable the experts to source funding for the academy.

In Malawi the mining sector has been boosted following the opening of the UD$300 million Kayelekera uranium mine in the northern region which is being operated by Paladin (Africa) Limited, a branch of Australian Pert-based Paladin Resources Limited.

“Unfortunately, all the prospective donors we have contacted will only release funds to us once we can provide them with a copy of the Government Sanction letter from the OPC,” said Tsakos who has a vast range of expertise in shaft mining, track-less mining, and mechanical mining.

Westone Chikopa, a Malawian who once worked in the mines in South Africa told the Sunday Times that opening the school in the country could create jobs in the mining sector and help alleviate the need foe young Malawians to immigrate to South Africa and other mineral rich countries to seek employment.

“If you check in so many mines in the country, including Kayelekera, a majority of workers are foreigners. Most Malawians working there are junior workers, mostly drivers, messengers and welders,” he said.

Chancy Namadzunda