Malawi’s Mchenga Coal Mines is looking for a strategic partner to make a substantial investment to increase production at its mine in the north of the country.
MD Rafik Gaffar says the company currently produces 3 000 t/y, which is not enough to meet demand – hence, the intention to increase production.
He adds the company is intent on setting up more underground mines in its licence area.
“We expect a dramatic increase in the demand for coal, with the possibility of a cement company opening in 2014 in the Kasungu area, in Malawi’s central region,” he says.
Meanwhile, Mchenga Coal Mines plans to undertake further exploration at the site from June 2014.
Mchenga Coal Mines supplies the bulk of its production to the local industry and exports duff coal, which has no market locally.
The mine is located in the 90 km2 Livingstonia coalfield, which has probable reserves of 25-million tons and proven reserves of 1.5-million tons of coal with an ash content of 17%, a sulphur content of 0.5% and a calorific value of 6.8 kcal/kg.
The mine, which was previously owned and operated by government, was privatised in 1999.