We Will Continue to Issue More Mineral Rights & Mining Leases to Investors – Prince Lonkhokhela

Pushing for “rapid economic transformation,” the Kingdom of Eswatini has spotlighted its mining and energy sectors as prime avenues for investment, promising significant returns and contributing to national development goals.

This strategic focus was underscored by the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Prince Lonkhokhela Dlamini, during an address at the Eswatini Investment Conference held on May 13th and 14th, 2025.

The Minister articulated the government’s commitment to His Majesty’s ‘Nkwe’ mandate, emphasizing the crucial role of accelerated investment in achieving tangible improvements in the lives of emaSwati.

He presented compelling investment potential within the mining and energy sectors, identifying them as fundamental pillars for industrialization, job creation, and enhanced energy security.

“The mining sector is one sector that can contribute meaningfully to the desired economic transformation,” the Prince stated.

Dlamini highlighted Eswatini’s existing mineral deposits, including gold, diamond, iron ore, and coal. Crucially, he announced the promising outcomes of the 2024 Airborne Geophysical Survey, which has identified new potential mineral deposits across the country.

These include highly sought-after commodities such as diamond, copper-nickel-platinum group elements, and a suite of critical raw minerals vital for the burgeoning clean energy and defense industries. Specifically mentioned were light and heavy rare earths, tantalum, cesium, and lithium.

He said that as a result of such potential returns, the government will continue to issue more mineral rights, particularly mining leases, to interested investors.

“The Government is engaged in increasing mining activities in the country through increased granting of mineral rights, in the form of mining leases, to interested investors, including EmaSwati,” he said.

While current activity centers around coal, the Minister stressed the significant investment opportunities in the exploration and exploitation of these newly identified minerals.

Recognizing the importance of value addition, the Ministry is actively developing a Minerals Beneficiation Policy. This strategic initiative aims to move beyond the extraction of raw materials, fostering local processing and maximizing the economic benefits derived from Eswatini’s mineral resources. Furthermore, the Mines and Minerals Act of 2011 is undergoing a comprehensive review to enhance the overall investment attractiveness of the sector.

Furthermore, the Minister reiterated the government’s interest in establishing a state-owned company, with the aim of enhancing investment and maximizing economic benefits in the sector.

“This doesn’t mean that the government wants to take over companies. Government just wants to do its mining without disturbing existing or new coming companies,” the Minister clarified.

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