Ann: Niobium - Critical EV Battery Metal, page-17

GBE will not give any specific reasons related to the ongoing MDA delays.

I suspect it is due to
a) the lack of a budget for the state-owned mining company
b) that it has therefore not yet been able to be founded
c) the MDA's have to wait until it is founded

https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-govt-snail-paces-national-mining-company-establishment/

d) it could probably happen with the upcoming November parliamentary sitting and the budget is approved and the presumably completed bill or law establishing the state-owned mining company is approved by Parliament.

This should then finally open the way to the MDA and be approved by the government immediately.

https://times.mw/budget-goes-off-balance/?amp=1

Parliament of Malawi
29. September 14:53 ·
HOUSE MEETS IN NOVEMBER
The Seventh Meeting of the National Assembly in the 49th Session of Parliament will be held from Monday, 14th November to Friday, 16th December, 2022 at Parliament Building in Lilongwe. The Office of the Speaker of Parliament says all Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Honourable Members of Parliament are summoned to attend the meeting at the time and place indicated until adjournment Sine Die and herein fail not.