Overview
Swaziland mining facilities include the Bulembu asbestos mine, the country’s main source of foreign exchange, the fairly new Maloma colliery and two aggregate quarries at Kwalini and Tonkwane.
Mineral production rose in 1998. The Maloma mine produced 410,021 metric tons of coal, more than double 1997’s production. There has been some interest in reopening the Moaka Collieries mine, which has reserves of about 30 million tons and a lifespan of 30 years
In December 1996 the Dvokolwako diamond mine in central Swaziland, jointly owned by Tibiyo TakaNgwane and the Trans-Hex, was closed, with a resultant loss of 250 jobs.
The Minister of Natural Resources and Energy is the Reverend Absalom Muntu Dlamini while Senzenjani Shabalala is the Minister of Natural Resources. The Ministry is located at Mhlambanyatsi Road, Mbabane. Its postal address is: P.O. Box 57, Mbabane, Swaziland.