Ministry says artisanal, small-scale mining in cities illegal

Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining has said artisanal and small-scale mining is not allowed the country’s cities.

Director of Geological Surveys Department Jalf Salima said in an interview government is concerned about the illegal sand mining and brick moulding in the cities, but said it is difficult for the ministry to enforce the laws.

He said the ministry has also not enforced the laws requiring individuals to obtain a licence from the district commissioner for building and other construction works.

“It is against the law to excavate sand from the rivers or mould bricks in towns and cities,” he said at a media sensitisation workshop in Liwonde, Machinga last week.

Salima said the district councils have come up with by-laws which when enacted will see the miners evicted from the cities.

Figures from the Department of Mines show that 67 percent of mining in Malawi is artisanal and small-scale with their population standing at over 22 000.