This mineral sector review examines the mineral sector as a potential source of growth and development in Malawi. In seeking the World Bank's assistance the Government of Malawi was particularly interested in confirming the potential for mineral sector growth, identifying which constraints to the development of the sector need to be addressed by the Government and suggesting strategies to foster a positive contribution by the mineral sector to sustainable development and poverty reduction. This report is organized into four chapters. Chapter one examines the potential for mineral sector growth in the short, medium and long term and indicates the direct and indirect economic and development benefits that could result. The remaining chapters address constraints that could prevent the mineral sector's full potential from being realized, especially those that can be addressed by government action, focusing on the development of efficient and effective legal, regulatory and institutional arrangements for managing the mineral sector (chapter two); the design of robust mineral revenue generation and management regimes (chapter three); and the creation of sound arrangements for the environmental and social management of the mineral sector (chapter four). Each chapter concludes with a summary of the main findings and recommendations for action with an indicated timeframe.