PROJECT UPDATE
Project Overview
This initiative supported Malawi’s Ministry of Mining in building technical capacity and strengthening the country’s mining sector.
Project Profile
The Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) initiative, with Canadian experts Malcolm Robb and Freddy Cáceres, collaborated with Malawi’s Ministry of Mining to implement practices and services that built a more inclusive and sustainable mining sector.
The initiative aimed to co-create and institutionalize a fair, transparent, and inclusive model that increased transparency, rigor, and good Environment Social Governance (ESG) in the negotiation process for assigning or granting domestic natural resource and mineral agreements with mining companies. By integrating inclusive and gender-based approaches that fully considered women, youth, children, and other marginalized persons, the model accounted for economic, environmental, and social costs and benefits as part of the negotiation process. The model was designed to be scalable and proportionate across the extractive sector, capable of facilitating all negotiations and operations—from artisanal and small-scale mining operations to junior oil and gas companies to large investors and operators.
The work focused on developing the capacity of Ministry personnel and relevant community stakeholders to apply the model jointly and collaboratively, while promoting and encouraging good governance practices, including consultations and community engagement.
Key Deliverables
- Capacity Support and Training
- Delivered presentations on diamond production in Canada and environmental licensing for ASM formalization in Ecuador
- Facilitated a five-day workshop and writeshop to support the development of Malawi’s ASM Policy
- Shared insights on business models and branding approaches for Malawi’s ASM sub-sector
- Led group exercises and consultations on occupational health, safety, and environmental standards for ASM operations
- Presented social considerations relevant to ASM activities
- Participated in discussions on policy directions for ASM
- Technical Support and Knowledge Products
- Revised and adapted the ASM Policy
- Conducted a comparative review of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development
- Prepared guidance notes aligning the IGF Mining Policy Framework with the current ASM situation in Malawi
- Developed a report outlining a business model for the ASM sub-sector
- Produced analysis and recommendations to support the formalization process of ASM miners
- Delivered a report on minimum safety, occupational health, environmental, and social standards for regulated ASM miners
- Authored a report on branding strategies for Malawi’s colored gemstones
Project Outcomes and Lessons Learned
The initiative enhanced the capacity of Ministry of Mining personnel to promote greater formalization that supports inclusive decent work, responsible supply chains, market efficiency, and innovative technology in the mining sector, guided by the new 2023 Mines and Minerals Act.
A key lesson learned is the value of early and continuous engagement with partners. Establishing collaborative processes from the outset helps ensure that project activities are well aligned with needs and resources, creating a solid foundation for effective implementation.
Direct Project Reach:
- 64 participants engaged through activities conducted and project deliverables
Public Engagement (Canada):
- 94 Canadians reached through outreach and engagement activities
Public Engagement Activities:
- Canadian experts Malcolm Robb and Freddy Cáceres:
- Posted four LinkedIn posts
- Participated in the TAP-EDM Lunch & Learn Event in Calgary
- Malcolm Robb participated in a TAP Canadian Changemakers episode Canadian Mining Expertise in Kosovo and Malawi with Deborah Archibald and attended two mining conferences
