Karonga residents court Parliament on mines
Communities in Karonga have asked Parliament to set aside a special committee to oversee mining which has come under fire for a relentless culture of secrecy.
Presently, mining issues are tackled by the standing committee on natural resources and climate change.
The locals in the mineral-rich district, especially those around Eland’s Mwaulambo Coalmine and Paladin Africa’s Kayerekera Uranium Mine, say a more focused parliamentary committee would help shatter deep-rooted secrecy in the emerging industry.
“There is need for a specific committee on mining for greater scrutiny on the extractive industry. Presently, there is so much laxity on matters of transparency that government and mining firms seem to have unwarranted powers to keep people in the dark on ill effects of mining that are likely to affect them,” said Ulaha Foundation assistant project officer Dan Simbeye.
Schubert Mweso, who facilitates group discussions around Kayerekera to strengthen responsive governance, blamed government for secretive on the matter.
During a trip to Kayerekera last month, Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining AtupeleMuluzi named the enduring secrecy as the main challenge overshadowing mining—saying the ongoing review of the Mines and Minerals Act of 1981 would bring about greater transparency.
