Malawi CSOs, chiefs allowed in uranium mine site for rare visit
Paladin (Africa) Limited on Friday accepted government plea to allow Karonga-based civil society organisations (CSOs) and chiefs to visit Kayerekela Uranium Mining (KUM) site to have first hand information of what exactly is happening at the premises.
The visit came after chiefs and civil society organisations under Karonga Natural Resources Justice Network (NRJN) were denied entry to the premises two weeks ago where they wanted to confirm if the miner had not ejected the waste water to the nearby streams that communities use.
The announcement of the breakage at KUM on January 8 due to heavy rains persuaded Senior Chief Karonga and NRJN officials to make a fact- finding trip to the site, but were sent back by armed police officers at the entrance.
However, during a visit by Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Atupele Muluzi to KUM site soon after the breakage, it was found that the company had not treated the waste water neither has it ejected it into nearby streams.
Speaking at Karonga District Council Hall before the departure to the mining site, Secretary for Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Ben Botolo said government persuaded the company to allow the concerned citizens to visit the mining site to have a clear picture of the company’s mining operations.
“It is government’s duty to adhere to the people’s interest. The tour is part of continued government efforts to serve everyone, the investors and concerned citizens.
“I hope that this initiative will provide an aerial view of how Paladin is operating its affairs at the site,” he said.
Paramount Chief Kyungu and his team were taken to severeal sites within the mining area, including the controversial busted tank.
Clearing the mist after the tour, director of environmental affairs Aloysius Kamperewera said the tank, which burst, released 50 litres of liquid and it did not have any effect on the surrounding communities.
“The amount that was released in the burst tank cannot affect the communities and fish life, which is 70 kilometers away from the tank. The fish death can be as a result of the change of the weather in the lake, which led to depletion of oxygen the fish use; hence, the death,” he explained.
Kamperewera said the sample of dead fish has, so far, been forwarded to fisheries experts for further testing.
Paladin (Africa) Limited operations manager Alan Cumming appreciated the group’s visit, saying it is the company’s wish to receive such kind of visits.
He, however, said safety issues enshrined in the Mining Act bar them from accepting the visitors frequently.
“We thank you for your coming to tour the mining site. This has been our position to receive more visitors, but the nature of our operations forbids us to frequently do so.
“However, where a need arises, we have no choice, but to abide by it,” said Cumming.
NRJN chairperson Kossam Munthali said the tour provided them an opportunity to have first hand information on environmental safety situation at the site.
“There is a lot to be done to clean up the mess. We have given them our recommendations and we are keenly looking forward government addressing them,” he said.
