President Peter Mutharika Bans Raw Mineral Exports from Malawi

President Peter Mutharika issued an executive order, effective October 21, 2025, prohibiting the export of raw, unprocessed minerals from Malawi. The ban targets a wide range of materials, including uranium, rare earth elements, gold, diamonds, copper, graphite, and gemstones. The policy aims to drive national economic prosperity and industrialization by requiring that minerals undergo processing, refining, or beneficiation within the country before export.

The government intends to increase the mining sector's contribution to the national GDP from 0.7% in 2023 to 10% by 2063, with an estimated annual economic boost of $500 million. To enforce the decree, the Ministry of Mining has suspended new export licenses and is establishing domestic testing laboratories. Violators face penalties and fines under Malawian law.

Several mining companies have responded to the order. Sovereign Metals Ltd stated the ban will not affect its Kasiya rutile–graphite project, as it plans to produce premium rutile concentrate and graphite domestically for aerospace and battery markets. Similarly, Australian firm Lindian Resources affirmed that its Kangankunde project remains compliant by producing concentrates. Despite these corporate assurances, critics warn that weak border controls and informal small-scale mining could drive the mineral trade underground and foster black markets.