Mining industry of Swaziland

Ngwenya Mine

The mining industry of the Kingdom of Swaziland vests with the Ngwenyama (the king) who authorizes mineral rights after due consultation with the Minerals Committee, which he appoints. Fiscal contribution from mining operations to Swaziland’s GDP is 2% and also accounts for 2% of export earnings.[1][2]

History

The history of the mining sector of the country is ancient, traced to the iron ore mine of the western Ngwenya mountains, which has since 1975 been closed. Ngwenya Mine is said to be the oldest iron ore mine in the world.[3][4] In recent years there is resurgence of this sector. Geological mapping of the country has been done to scale of 1:50,000, which is being updated.

The Mining Department is responsible for the mining and minerals industry. Laws promulgated in this respect are the Mines and Minerals Act No, 4 of 2011, Diamond Act No. 3 of 2011, Explosives Act, Mines and machinery regulations, and Mines and Quarries (safety) Regulations. Additional regulations are under review.

Production and impact

The important mines in the country include the Bulembu asbestos mine, the Emaswati colliery and the Dvokolwako diamond mines and quarries.[5] While the high quality anthracite coal of the Maloma Coal mine continues to be extracted as the quality of the coal produced is eight-ash grade compared to the earlier ten-ash variety. From the Dvokolwako Mine, diamond production was expected to achieve a yield of 80,000 carats per year.[2]

Asbestos production, which was exploited to a large extent, is faced with problems due to decrease in international pricing. The tailings of the Ngwenya iron ore mine (the mine itself closed in 1977) are planned to be reworked to extract 2 million metric tons of iron ore concentrate annually. Gold extractions from the northwestern region of the country have been planned, with the Piggs Peak mine getting revived.[2] More sites have been prospected for extraction to sustain an economic development of the mining sector.

Commodities

Minerals under extraction in the country include coal, diamonds, gold, kaolin and silica. Other minerals such as arsenic, copper, manganese and tin are also found but are not found economical to extract. Coal and diamonds are mined for exports while quarries cater to the local needs.

Outlook

The mineral industry is faced with a low level of exploration and exploitation, which is unlikely to change in the near future on account of inadequate infrastructure facilities, and also due to a high degree of HIV/AIDS among its population.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Mining in Swaziland – Overview". mbendi.com. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "2011 Minerals Yearbook: Lesotho And Swaziland" (pdf). U.S. Department of the Interior - U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  3. ↑ "Ngwenya Mines". UNESCO. 31 December 2008.
  4. ↑ Matsebula, J. S. M. (1988). A history of Swaziland. Longman. ISBN 978-0-582-03167-8.
  5. ↑ Record of proceedings. International Labour Organization. 1993. pp. 17–. ISBN 978-92-2-107976-7.
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