NEWS UPDATE

1st to 5th October, 2000
10-13th October, 2000
20th October, 2000
19-24th November, 2000

1st to 5th October, 2000

The minister of Natural Resources leads a five man delegation to meet Billiton Aluminium on Mulanje Bauxite.

The minister of Natural Resources and Environmental affairs, hon. Harry Thomson and comprising Dr. Jerry Jana, (chairman, Press corporation Limited), Mr L. Kalindakafe (director of mines), Mr G. Malunga (MDC), and Mr E.E. Gwazantini (press corporation limited) left Malawi on 1st October, 2000 to discuss the Mulanje Bauxite mining project with Billiton in London.

The meeting took place on the 3rd October, 2000 and on the Billiton side, three people were present. These were Mr. Rabelink (Director of business development), Mr P. de Waal (Aluminium Technology) and Mr. P Everard (Executive director responsible for business development and strategy).

Subsequently, during lunch, the discussion was attended by Mr. D Munroe (executive director).

The visit was very successful. It was gratifying to the Malawian team for a top class player in the aluminium business to agree to come to Malawi at their coast to verify the bauxite reserves. The Hon. Minister in the Malawi team assured Billiton that preparations will be made in Malawi to ensure that Billiton's team is well recieved and that their task is well facilitated to enable them carry out their work.


10 - 13th October, 2000

The Minister of Natural resources and Environmental Affairs, Hon. Harry Thomson attends Mines2000 in Lusaka. Grain Malunga supported a team of local promoters and  makes the following observetion:

Eleven projects were promoted at the forum. These included uranium, monazite, gemstone, talc, phosphate, titanium and vermiculite.

The forum was a useful gathering that brought up a network of institutions inter-linked one way or another in development of relationships in mineral development. The diversity of participants included mining houses, financing institutions, consultants and mining project promoters.

Most financing institutions were not interested in projects that were at grass root level of exploitation to feasibility study level. This was more applicable to projects affecting industrial minerals. CDE is recommended for their promise and support for these projects.

Some members were not effective in presenting their projects due to lack of technical knowledge, language and negotiating skills. CDE is recommended for bridging in these gaps through engagement of associate consultants and country consultants. Further contacts and negotiations among potential partners should be encouraged to pass through country consultants or CDE where appropriate or convenient.

 


20th October, 2000

Mr Malunga, the deputy director of operations presented the Mulanje Bauxite project concept to Mutual construction company limited (MCC) in Johannesburg.

Following a consultation meeting between the Minister of transport and public works and MDC general manager on the possibility of involving MCC in the mining of Mulanje Bauxite through the Nacala Corridor development initiative, MDC sent Mr. Malunga, the deputy director of operations, to present the Mulanje project conceptive. Mr. J. Mwanza of personal computers limited accompanied Mr. Malunga to meet the chairman of MCC, Mr. Barnes.

MCC offers plant hire, management and mining services to mining houses, civil engineering and earth moving industries.

The following observations were made:

MCC is willing to operate the Bauxite mine and construct the associated infrastructure under management contract.

The company can contribute plant and equipment as its equity.

There was need to review the transportation logistics of both Bauxite and Aluminia to processing plant and Mozal smelter in Maputo in order to be competitive with the Australian Alumina imports

Technology acquisitions and processing plant supply to be negotiated with major players such as Billiton Aluminium and Alcan.

Interest major financial institutions to fund the project as the investment is heavy.

The team also visited gold and platinum operations in Randfontein and Rustenberg. The operations were very impressive and posed enormous challenge under complex and heterogenous ore depositional setting.


19-24 November, 2000

Acting president, Dr M. Dolozi attends "Tertiary sector geology education workshop" held in Maputo, Mozambique.

This regional workshop took place from 20-24 November, 2000 in Maputo, Mozambique. It was organized by the geology Eduardo Mondlane University and faculty of Earth sciences Utrecht University, the Netherlands. Briefly areas of co-operation were identified as follows:

-Graduate teaching and curriculum development.

-Standardisation of curriculum and quality of education.

-Post graduate training and research.

-Community outreach.

 

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