Lotus Resources Limited, a company mining uranium at Kayelekera in Karonga, has intensified efforts to explore more areas for possible uranium deposits in Chitipa District.
In an interview, Kayelekera Mining Site geologist John Mwenelupembe said his company wants to explore more uranium resources to feed the Kayelekera plant.
He said they intend to explore uranium at Mchina in Nthalire in Chitipa District.
Mwenelupembe said Kayelekera Mine has a lifespan of about 10 years, as such, the company wants to increase years of mining uranium in the country; hence, the drive to explore new sites.
“Kayelekera Mine has 42.5 million tonnes of uranium, which will be mined for 10 years and we are in an exploration drive to find more areas with possible uranium so that we can expand to maybe 20 or 30 years of mining,” he said.
Mwenelupembe further said the mining company applied to Malawi Government for an exploration licence and consultations with stakeholders in Chitipa District as one of the requirements before they develop an Environmental and Social Management Plan.
Chitipa District Council acting environmental officer Kamunkhwala Tembo welcomed the consultation.
He said this time around the Environmental Affairs Department has put guidelines that every company engaged in mining should develop an Environmental Social Management Plan for that particular area.
“Kayelekera has consulted the district council to scrutinise the area they want to explore uranium in Nthalire area,” said Tembo.
In random interviews around Chitipa Boma, residents expressed excitement with the prospect of opening a mining site in the district.
Joseph Mufungwe, a resident from Traditional Authority Mwabulambya, said mining would not only empower people in the district economically through work at the site, but also contribute towards the country’s economy.
