The Malawian Ministry of Mining retracted its earlier statement on a temporary ban on the export of all minerals, and instead announced a 21-day halt to the issuance of export licenses.
"The Ministry of Mining wishes to retract the statement issued earlier on the temporal ban on mineral exports. The ministry […] has embarked on a process of reviewing the valuation framework for gemstones from February 12, 2025, and this process will take 21 days. During this period, the ministry shall not process export licenses/permits for gemstones," read the statement issued on Thursday.
The 21-day review of the valuation framework for gemstones is aimed at enhancing the management and productivity of the artisanal mining sub-sector, the ministry noted.
"The Ministry of Mining [...] has with immediate effect imposed a temporary ban on the export of all minerals. This ban will remain in force until further notice. The ban has been imposed to allow the ministry to streamline all export procedures that will ensure efficient and transparent processes," the original statement said on Wednesday.
Later, however, the ministry noted that it deeply regretted any inconvenience caused by the earlier statement.